Final answer:
The potential energy of system A (object alone) remains constant, but for system B (object and Earth), it increases as an object moves away from Earth. Similarly, in the electrical scenario, as a -1.00 µC charge moves away from other charges, its potential energy increases; it decreases when moving closer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an object moves away from the Earth, considering system A which is the object alone, the potential energy of this system does not change inherently because potential energy is a property of a system and not just the object by itself. In contrast, considering system B, which is the object and the Earth together, as the object moves away from the Earth, the potential energy of this system increases because the object is moving to a higher position within Earth's gravitational field and thus, the system is gaining gravitational potential energy.
Relating this to electrical potential energy involving charges, if a -1.00 µC charge at a certain position moves such that its y-coordinate increases away from two other charges of 2.00 µC at fixed positions, its potential energy increases because it's similar to increasing height in the gravitational field scenario. Conversely, as the y-coordinate of the -1.00 µC charge decreases, its potential energy decreases.
To summarize this with respect to the charges given in the initial problem, the potential energy of a system with a -1.00 µC charge increases as the charge moves away from 2.00 µC charges (increases y-coordinate), mirroring the ball-Earth system energetics — thus, the correct answer to the question is b. increases, decreases.