Asked by Lyra
Two protons, an infinite distance apart are brought together to a separation of 1 nm.
What is the initial potential energy of the system?
What is the initial potential energy of the system?
Answers
Answered by
Damon
Usually you define the potential energy as zero at infinity, then it goes up as kQ1Q2/r as they are forced toward each other
similarly if one were + and the other -, the potential would again be chosen zero at infinity and would be kQ1Q2/r again but since one of those Q values is negative it would be a negative energy.
Remember potential is relative and only difference matters. You can choose zero wherever you wish.
similarly if one were + and the other -, the potential would again be chosen zero at infinity and would be kQ1Q2/r again but since one of those Q values is negative it would be a negative energy.
Remember potential is relative and only difference matters. You can choose zero wherever you wish.
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