Two protons are a distance 4 × 10−9 m apart. What is the electric potential energy of the system consisting of the two
protons?
If the two protons move closer together, will the electric potential energy of the system increase, decrease, or remain the
same? Aproton and an electron are a distance 4 × 10−9 m apart. What is the electric potential energy of the system
consisting of the proton and the electron? If the proton and the electron move closer together, will the electric potential
energy of the system increase, decrease, or remain the same?
Which of the following statements are true?
(A) In some situations charged particles released from rest would move in a direction that increases electric potential
energy, but not in other situations.
(B) If released from rest two protons would move closer together, increasing the potential energy of the system.
(C) If any two charged particles are released from rest, they will spontaneously move in the direction in which the
potential energy of the system will be decreased.