Consider a system consisting of two oppositely charged spheres hanging by strings and separated by a distance r1, as shown in the accompanying illustration. Suppose they are separated to a larger distance r2 , by moving them apart along a track.

What is the potential energy, postive of negative or reamins the saem?

What effect does it do on the total energy/

What can you say about the q and w in this process?

2 answers

PE increases
The potential energy increases.
Delta E is positive for the process.
The sign q is undetermined; w is positive.