1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Physics
  4. If an electron is brought toward another electron, the electric potential energy of the system

Question Error Report

Thank you for reporting, we will resolve it shortly

Back to Question

Q. If an electron is brought toward another electron, the electric potential energy of the system

MHT CETMHT CET 2007Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Solution:

If two charges are of the same sign, they repel each other. Thus if two electrons are brought closer, some work is done against the force of repulsion. Therefore the electric potential energy of the system increases.
Aliter : image
Mathematically, the potential due to one electron at the position of the other electron is $\frac{-K e}{r}$ and hence
the potential of the other $=-\frac{K e(-e)}{r}=\frac{K e^{2}}{r}$,
where $r$ is the distance between the two electrons. Now if $r$ decreases, $P . E$. increases.