Chapter 5.1, Problem 6CP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The changes that double the electrostatic attraction between two oppositely charged particles are to be identified.

Concept introduction:

Energy is defined as the capacity to do work or transfer heat.

Electrostatic potential energy is the energy generated by the interaction of charged particles.

Opposite charged particles attract each other whereas like charges repel each other.

The dependence of electrostatic potential energy on the magnitude of charges and distance between them is given by the following expression:

$E_{el}\propto \frac{Q_1{Q}_2}{d}$

Where ${\text{E}}_{\text{el}}$ = electrostatic potential energy, $Q_1\&Q_2$ are opposite charges, and $d$ = distance between them

The comparison of the electrostatic potential energies of two sets of charged particles is made by dividing the electrostatic energy of the first set of charges by that of the second. $\frac{E_{\text{el}\left(1\right)}}{E_{\text{el}\left(2\right)}}=\frac{\frac{Q_{11}{Q}_{12}}{d}}{\frac{Q_{12}{Q}_{21}}{d}}$