Recent content by Grahamlf

does that mean that potential energy is asymptotic to 0 as a function of r when the charges are opposite?

What I am confused on is why, according to U=(kqq)/r, the potential energy due to a charge decreases as the distance from the charge increases. This is assuming opposite charges. If both charges are just 1, then @ r=1, U=1 (ignoring k since its a constant). If r=3 however, U=1/3. This is...

Why does the potential energy of a system of two charged particles decrease as the distance between them increases? It seems that the PE should increase, as in U=mgh; as h increases, the PE increases. Why does this not occur in electrical potential energy, and in the gravitational potential...