Question

Electric potential energy of two point charges q and q₀ is ________.

Options

• `1/(4piepsilon_0) "q"/"r"`

• `1/(4piepsilon_0) "qq"_0/"r"^2`

• `1/(4piepsilon_0) "qq"_0/"r"`

• `1/(4piepsilon_0) "qq"_0/"r"^3`

Answer 1

Electric potential energy of two point charges q and q₀ is `underline(1/(4piepsilon_0) "qq"_0/"r")`.

Explanation:

Potential energy of a system of charges is the work done in assembling the charges from infinity to their respective positions. Force between two charges q and q₀ placed at a distance 'r' apart is F = `("q"_0"q")/(4piepsilon_0 "r"^2)`.

Potential energy of the charges is given by U = `int_oo^"r" - "F" "dr" = int_oo^"r" - ("q"_0"q")/(4piepsilon_0"r"^2) "dr" = ("qq"_0)/(4piepsilon_0"r")`