Three charges are placed along the $x$-axis at $x = -a$,$x = 0$,and $x = a$ as shown in the figure. The potential energy of the system is

  • A
    $-\left(\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0}\right) \frac{q^2}{a}$
  • B
    $-\left(\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0}\right) \frac{3 q^2}{2 a}$
  • C
    $+\left(\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0}\right) \frac{q^2}{a}$
  • D
    $+\left(\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0}\right) \frac{3 q^2}{2 a}$

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