Potential energy of the system increase or decrease?

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SUMMARY

The potential energy of a system of two electrons decreases as they move away from each other. This is quantitatively expressed by the formula P.E = k(-e)(-e)/r, where 'r' represents the distance between the electrons. As 'r' increases, the potential energy decreases, demonstrating that the system favors configurations with minimum potential energy. Consequently, the repulsive force between the electrons ensures they remain separated, as their kinetic energy increases while the total energy remains constant.

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brandon26
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When two electrons move away from each other, does the potential energy of the system increase or decrease?
 
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What work have you done? What is the potential energy of two electrons separated by a certain distance?
 
No, this is a question where numerial values are given. I thought that the totla potential energy stays the same because they both move off in different directions
 
brandon26 said:
No, this is a question where numerial values are given.
I don't understand, what are you saying "no" to?

brandon26 said:
I thought that the totla potential energy stays the same because they both move off in different directions

Why do you think this? Again let me ask, what is the potential energy of two electrons separated by a certain distance? How does it change with the distance?
 
In this case the potential energy of the system is given by k(-e)(-e)/r where r is the distance between the axes. As the two electrons move away from each other , the 'r' increases and thus the P.E decreases , because the system will always prefer to have minimum PE , therefore two electrons SHOULD remain away from each other.That is why the two electrons repel each other.

BJ
 
HINT: If the sum of the kinetic and potential energy is a constant and the kinetic energy increases what happens to the potential energy?
 

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