UTF-8Elec_PE_pg2_7_10_08Electrical Potential Energy
In the first window there is a simulation with two electrically charged ions. Click the blue "PLAY" icon to run the simulation and see what happens.
As the ions interact with one another the program calculates the Kinetic Energy (KE), Potential Energy (PE), and Total Energy (TE) of the ions, and you can follow the change with time of the KE, PE, and TE with the graph or with the vertical bars provided next to the simulation window. Pay close attention to the changes in Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy of the ions when they are far apart and close together. Does the Total energy change?
The concept of Electrical Potential energy requires thought: focus on the idea that PE is called Potential Energy because it has the potential to be converted into other forms of energy especially Kinetic Energy. The Electrical Potential Energy depends on the relative positions of objects and on their electrical charges.
Here is a question for you to answer after you have run the simulation
several times, and payed close attention to the graphs. Notice the electrical potential energy is always less than zero. It might help to step through the simulation to answer this.
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In which of the following situations is the Electrical Potential Energy
the least negative -- closest to zero?
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trueWhen the ions are farthest apartWhen the ions are an intermediate distance apartWhen the ions are closest togetherThe Electrical Potential Energy is the same in all three cases0-666601org.concord.modeler.PageMultipleChoicetrue4450200<html>
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In which of the following situations in the Kinetic Energy the greatest?
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trueWhen the ions are farthest apartWhen the ions are an intermediate distance apartWhen the ions are closest togetherThe Electrical Kinetic Energy is the same in all three cases2-999a