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CUET · PHYSICS · PYQ PAPER 2025

If a proton is brought towards an electron from infinity, the potential energy of the system will

  1. A decrease
  2. B increase
  3. C first increase and then decrease
  4. D remain unchanged
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(A) decrease

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

The potential energy between a proton (\( +e \)) and an electron (\( -e \)) is given by \( U = \frac{k(+e)(-e)}{r} = -\frac{ke^2}{r} \). At infinity, \( U = 0 \). As the proton is brought closer to the electron, \( r \) decreases, making \( U \) a larger negative value.…
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