How does the electrical potential energy between two positively charged particles change if the distance is increased by a factor of 2?

a. it is reduced by a factor of 2

b. it is increased by a factor of 2

c. it is increased by a factor of 4

d. it is reduced by a factor of 4

Answer: it is increased by a factor of 2

A. it is reduced by a factor of 2

Explanation:

Electrical potential energy decreases as the distance between charged particles increases. Electric potential is the amount of potential energy per unit charge. Therefore; electrica potential energy is given by the formula;

V (r) = kq1q2/r

From the equation, the electrical potential energy is inversely proportional to the distance of separation between charged particles, therefore if the distance increases by a factor of 2, then the electrical potential energy is reduced by a factor of 2.