Question

If the distance of separation between two charges is increased, the electrical potential energy of the system

• A. May increases or decrease
• B. Decreases
• C. Increase
• D. Remain the same

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

May increases or decrease

Answer 2

Since we know potential energy $U = k.\frac{Q_{1}Q_{2}}{r}$

As r increases, U decreases in magnitude. However depending upon the fact whether both charges are similar or disimilar, U may increase or decrease