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In outer space, a positive charge q is released near a positive fixed charge Q. As q moves away from Q, what is true about the motion of q?

User JJJSchmidt
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Final answer:

In outer space, a released positive charge q moves away from another positive charge Q, accelerating as it converts electric potential energy to kinetic energy, similar to how a mass moves in a gravitational field.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a positive charge q is released near another positive fixed charge Q in outer space, q will move away from Q due to the electrostatic repulsion between them, as like charges repel. Since there is no intervening medium to impede its movement in space, the charge q will accelerate away from Q as a result of the force exerted on it by the electric field created by the charge Q. This force is described by Coulomb's law, which states the force (F) is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. The movement of charge q is also analogous to a mass being accelerated by a gravitational field, with its electric potential energy being converted into kinetic energy.

User Bruno Vieira
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