Potential Energy for Point Charge Pair System

In a system of point charges, the total potential energy

#todo

Like Charges §

For a better understanding, assume we have two particles with like charges of equal magnitude being shot towards each other. In order to move, they must have some kinetic energy, $K$. Furthermore, let’s assume we start with them being infinitely far ($U=0$)

$$E_{total}=K+U$$

The kinetic energy we are supplying is working against the electrical field that is trying to push the particles apart. As the particles move closer together, the kinetic energy decreases while the electropotential energy increases:

#ASK

Unlike Charges §