Three point charges are each located a distance a from the origin, as shown. At (x,y) = (a,0) is a charge q, at (x,y) = (-a,0) there is also a charge q. At (x,y) = (0,a) there is a charge q. Let a = 0.5 m and q = 3x10-9 C. Each charged particle has a mass of m = 2x10-12 kg. Neglect the effect of gravity.
a) Find the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the origin.
b) Find the electrical potential energy of the system of three charges.
c) If the two charges on the x-axis are held fixed and the charge on the y-axis is released, how fast will it be moving when it passes through the origin?