The solution at revision #11735 of , by astrosander. This is not the current version.

Statement

2.3.38. Potential energy of electrostatic interaction of point charges and located at a distance from each other, . Find the electrostatic force. Which charges have repulsion and which have attraction?

Solution

Let us find the derivative of the potential energy of interaction by distance Also by the law of conservation of energy, the change in that energy is equal to the work to be done NO: The larger is, the smaller is

 Forces acting on the system
Forces acting on the system

According to Newton's third law Substituting into leads to When — repulsion, when — attraction.

Answer