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  4. In bringing an electron towards another electron, the electrostatic potential energy of the system:

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Q. In bringing an electron towards another electron, the electrostatic potential energy of the system:

Jharkhand CECEJharkhand CECE 2003

Solution:

The electron has negative charge.
When an electron is bringing towards another electron, then due to same negative charge repulsive force is produced between them.
So, to bring them closer a work is done against this repulsive force.
This work is stored in the form of electrostatic potential energy.
Thus, electrostatic potential energy of system increases.
Alternative:
Electrostatic potential energy of system of two electrons
$U=\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0}} \frac{(-e)(-e)}{r}=\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0}} \frac{e^{2}}{r}$
Thus, as $r$ increases, potential energy $U$ increases.