Question

multiple choice question
when two like - charged particles move away from one another the electric potential

decreases

increases

stays the same

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Explanation:

The electric potential energy formula for two - charged particles is \(U = \frac{kq_1q_2}{r}\), where \(k\) is the Coulomb's constant, \(q_1\) and \(q_2\) are the charges of the two particles, and \(r\) is the distance between them. When two like - charged particles (\(q_1q_2>0\)) move away from one another, \(r\) increases. As \(r\) increases, the value of \(U=\frac{kq_1q_2}{r}\) (since \(kq_1q_2>0\)) decreases.

Answer:

decreases