What is the electric potential energy?

In summary, Electric potential energy is the energy that a charged object possesses due to its position in an electric field. It is measured in joules or electron volts and can be calculated using the charge and electric potential at a specific point in the electric field. It is different from electric potential, which is the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a specific point. Factors that affect electric potential energy include the magnitude of the charge, distance between charged objects, and strength of the electric field. Electric potential energy can also be negative when opposite charges are brought closer together, resulting in a conversion of energy into other forms such as heat or light.
  • #1
ohheytai
85
0
Two protons are a distance 610–9 m apart. What is the electric potential energy of the system consisting of the two protons?



Uelec = (1/4piepsilonnot)*q1q2/r
where (1/4piepsilonnot) = 9x10^9 n*m/coulomb^2




The mass of the proton is 1.7*10^-27
for my answer i got 4.335e-36 but its wrong can someone help me out here?
 
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  • #2
You'll have to show your work.

What is the charge of a proton, by the way? (You're supposed to find the electrical potential energy, not the gravitational potential energy. :wink:)
 

Related to What is the electric potential energy?

What is electric potential energy?

Electric potential energy is the energy that a charged object possesses due to its position in an electric field. It is the amount of work required to move a charged object from one point to another in an electric field.

How is electric potential energy different from electric potential?

Electric potential energy is a measure of the potential energy that a charged object possesses due to its position in an electric field. Electric potential, on the other hand, is the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field.

What factors affect electric potential energy?

The factors that affect electric potential energy include the magnitude of the charge, the distance between the charged objects, and the strength of the electric field.

Can electric potential energy be negative?

Yes, electric potential energy can be negative. This occurs when the charged objects have opposite charges and the work required to move them closer together is negative. In this case, the electric potential energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or light.

How is electric potential energy measured?

Electric potential energy is typically measured in joules (J) or electron volts (eV). It can be calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the charge (in coulombs) by the electric potential (in volts) at a specific point in an electric field. Alternatively, it can also be calculated using the formula PE = qV, where PE is the electric potential energy, q is the charge, and V is the electric potential.

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