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--- 184_notes:pc_energy [2021/05/26 13:43] – schram45
+++ 184_notes:pc_energy [2024/01/22 22:26] (current) – [Deriving Electric Potential Energy for Two Point Charges] tdeyoung
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 [{{  184_notes:twocharges.png?300|Two charges are initially separated by  $r_i$ . After some time they are separated by  $r_f$ .}}]
-Using the relationship between force and potential energy, we can derive the electric potential energy between two point charges from the electric force. Suppose we have two positive point charges  $q_1$  and  $q_2$ , who are initially separated by a distance r. We will //__assume  $q_1$  is fixed__// and let  $q_2$  move to infinity. Starting with the general relationship:
+Using the relationship between force and potential energy, we can derive the electric potential energy between two point charges from the electric force. Suppose we have two positive point charges  $q_1$  and  $q_2$ , who are initially separated by a distance r. We will //__assume __// $q_1$ //__ is fixed__// and let  $q_2$  move to infinity. Starting with the general relationship:
   $\Delta U_{elec} = U_f-U_i= -\int_i^f\vec{F}_{elec}\bullet d\vec{r}$
 we can plug in the electric force equation for the force from  $q_1$  on  $q_2$  (point charges), and we know that our initial location is  $r_i=r$  and our final location is  $r_f=\infty$ . So we get: