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Question
When the separation between two charges is increased, the electric potential energy of the charges
Options
increases
decreases
remains the same
may increase or decrease
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Solution
may increase or decrease
The electric potential energy, E, between the two charges, q1 and q2, separated by the distance, r, is given as `E =K(q_1q_2)/r`,
Where k = constant
As the distance between the charges is increased, the energy will decrease if both the charges are of similar nature. But if the charges are oppositely charged, the energy will become less negative and, hence, will increase.
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