Electrostatic potential energy is the potential energy stored in a system of charged particles due to their interactions with each other. It is a type of potential energy that arises from the electrical forces between charged particles.
The electrostatic potential energy is calculated using the formula U = kq1q2/r, where k is the Coulomb constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.
The electrostatic potential energy is affected by the charges of the particles, the distance between them, and the medium in which they are located. It also depends on the orientation of the charges and the presence of any external electric fields.
Electric potential is the amount of electrostatic potential energy per unit charge, and it is calculated by dividing the electrostatic potential energy by the charge of the particle. In other words, electric potential is a measure of the strength of the electric field at a specific point.
Electrostatic potential energy plays a crucial role in many technological applications, such as in the operation of electronic devices, power generation, and energy storage. It also helps us understand the behavior of charged particles in nature, such as lightning and static electricity.