A system of two charges separated by a certain distance apart stores electrical potential energy. If the distance between them is increased, the potential energy of the system,

Options

A. may increase or decrease
B. increases in any case
C. remains the same
D. decreases in any case

Answer

A

Explanation

(a): Case I : For unlike charges
When one of the charges is negative, `q_(1)q_(2) lt 0`, therefore the potential energy of the system is negative.
Now, if distance between the charges is increased, potential energy of the system will increase.
Case II : For like charges (both positive or negative)
Since for like charges `q_(1)q_(2) gt 0`, therefore potential energy of the system is positive.
Now, if distance between the charges is increased potential energy of the system will decrease.