Electric potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position in an electric field. The equation used for electric potential energy is U = qV, where U is the electric potential energy, q is the charge of the object, and V is the electric potential. The SI unit of electric potential energy is joules (J).
If the charges are the same (both positive or both negative), the electric potential energy is positive, indicating that work is required to bring the charges closer together. If the charges are opposite (positive and negative), the electric potential energy is negative, indicating that work is released as the charges move closer together.