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Item RG125002: Decreasing the distance between two positively charges particles, increases the amount of electrostatic potential energy in the system.

Two charged particles are positioned as pictured in Figure 1 below. A student moves the particles so that the distance between the two particles is decreased as shown in Figure 2. He secures the particles in place so neither can move. The strength of the charges remains the same the whole time.

Which of the following statements correctly describes the change in electrostatic potential energy of the system of two particles from Figure 1 to Figure 2?

  1. The electrostatic potential energy has increased.
  2. The electrostatic potential energy has decreased.
  3. The electrostatic potential energy has not changed.
  4. Additional information is needed to determine the change in electrostatic potential energy.
Distribution of Responses
Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item EG125002
Scale Score for Item Difficulty
(200[Easy]-800[Difficult])
499
Students Responding Correctly
Group Correct Total Percent
Overall 500 1132 44%
Grades
  4–5N/AN/AN/A
  6–8 290 682 43%
  9–12 210 450 47%
Gender
  Male26355148%
  Female22656040%
Primary Language
  English457101845%
  Other3710236%

View data table