Question

*Please explain the answer, in full, using physics terminology*

Two protons are placed 1 cm apart on top of a frictionless horizontal surface and released form rest. As the protons move, the magnitude of their acceleration ________ while the magnitude of their velocity ___________.

*Please show all work and explain the answer, in full, using physics terminology*

A. decreases; first increases then decreases

B. increases; first increases then decreases

C. increases; increases

D. stays the same; increases

E. decreases; increases

*Please show all work and explain the answer, in full, using physics terminology*

Answer 1

As the proton will repel each other hence the force of repulsion will decrease as the distance between them increases because the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

Also as the distance between the protons increases, their electrostatic potential energy will decrease.

As the total energy i.e. Kinetic+potential is conserved hence because of the decrease in potential energy, kinetic energy will increase and hence the velocity.

Option E