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Two positive charges are equal. Which has more electric potential energy?

1) Charge A
2) Charge B
3) Both charges have the same electric potential energy
4) Cannot be determined

User Sina
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1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Without information on the distance between the two charges or from a reference point, it's impossible to determine which of the equal positive charges has more electric potential energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electric potential energy of two charges depends on their magnitudes, the distance between them, and whether their signs are the same or opposite. Since the question states that both charges A and B are positive and equal, their electric potential energy solely depends on their separation. By Coulomb's law, the potential energy between two like charges is positive and increases as the charges are brought closer together due to the repulsive force, and it is proportional to 1/r, where r is the distance between the two charges. Without information about their distance from each other or from a point of reference, it is impossible to determine which has more electric potential energy. Therefore, the correct answer is 4) Cannot be determined.

User Vijay Singh Rana
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