Interaction Energy: What is W=\int dV $\rho(\vec{r}) \phi_{ext}(\vec{r})$?

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latentcorpse
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Hi. in my notes the interaction energy is simply stated as being

[itex]W=\int dV \rho(\vec{r}) \phi_{ext}(\vec{r})[/itex]
however no explanation is given as to where this comes from.
is it simply a fact or should i be able toderive this from somewhere?
 
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I think this essentially assumes you initially have an external potential phi, then this is the energy required to move the given charge distribution ito that potential from infinity