What happens to the electric potential energy of a system of charges when they a

₹0.0

Question: What happens to the electric potential energy of a system of charges when they are brought closer together?

Options:

Correct Answer: Decreases

Solution:

The electric potential energy of a system of charges decreases when they are brought closer together, especially if they are of opposite signs.

What happens to the electric potential energy of a system of charges when they are brought closer together?

What happens to the electric potential energy of a system of charges when they are brought closer together?

Step 1: Understand what electric potential energy is. It is the energy stored in a system of charges due to their positions relative to each other.
Step 2: Recognize that charges can be positive or negative. Opposite charges attract each other, while like charges repel each other.
Step 3: When opposite charges (like + and -) are brought closer together, they attract each other, which causes the electric potential energy to decrease.
Step 4: When like charges (like + and + or - and -) are brought closer together, they repel each other, which causes the electric potential energy to increase.
Step 5: In general, if opposite charges are brought closer, the system's electric potential energy decreases.

Electric Potential Energy – The energy stored in a system of charges due to their positions relative to each other.
Coulomb's Law – The principle that describes the force between two charges and how it relates to potential energy.
Opposite and Like Charges – Understanding how the nature of the charges (opposite or like) affects the potential energy when they are brought closer.