Question

Points

How would you change the distance between two positively charged particles
to increase the electric potential energy by a factor of 4?
A. Reduce the distance by a factor of 16.
OOO
B. Increase the distance by a factor of 16.
C. Reduce the distance by a factor of 4.
O
D. Increase the distance by a factor of 4.

Answer 1

Reduce the distance by a factor of 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electric potential energy between two charged particle is given by :

`U=(kqQ)/(r)`

k is electric constant

r is distance between two positively charged particles

Electric potential energy is inversely proportional to the distance between charges. If we decrease the distance between charges by a factor of 4, the electric potential energy will increase by an factor of 4.

Hence, the correct option is (C).