Question

Chemists define the potential energy of a system in which two particles are not interacting to be PE = 0. When two oppositely charged particles are close enough to interact, is the potential energy positive or negative?

a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Zero
d) Variable

Answer 1

When two oppositely charged particles are close enough to interact, the potential energy is negative.

Step-by-step explanation:

When two oppositely charged particles are close enough to interact, the potential energy is negative. This is because the charges are pulling each other and you have to do negative work on the system. As a result, the potential energy is reduced.