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- Work is done on a charge Q as it is movedd from a position A to position B when the charge is in an electric field E. The potential energy the charge acquires when it gets to position B is equal to:
PE = QEd
- where d is the distance between the posittions A and B.
- When the charge is released from positionn B, the electrical force, QE, accelerates the charge through the distance d. The potential energy the charge possesses is then changed into kinetic energy.
- When two charges are present, potential eenergy is a scalar property of the system of both charges.
PE = k q1q2/r
- When the charges have the same sign, theiir potential energy is positive, which corresponds to a repulsive force. When the charges have unlike sign, their potential energy is negative, which corresponds to an attractive force. As like charges are separated, the potential energy of the system decreases.
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