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In bringing an electron towards another electron, the electrostatic potential energy of the system

Asked in CBSE AIPMT 1999 · Energy of a system of charges

Answer: (2) increases

Step-by-step solution

For two electrons, U=1/(4πε₀)((-e)(-e))/r=(e²)/(4πε₀ r), which is positive.

As r decreases, U grows.

Physically, like charges repel, so an external agent does positive work to bring them together, and that work is stored as potential energy.

The potential energy increases.

Why the other options are wrong

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