Question

If a system of like charges, assembled by doing work against their repulsive force, is released, the stored electrostatic potential energy:

Options

• Converts back into kinetic energy

• Remains permanently stored as potential energy

• Is destroyed, violating conservation of energy

• Becomes negative potential energy

Answer 1

The work done to bring like charges together against repulsion is stored as electrostatic potential energy. If the charges are released, this stored energy converts back into kinetic energy, consistent with conservation of energy.