Work done by an external force to bring charges from infinitely far apart to their current positions; stored energy ready to do work.

Electric potential energy, measured in Joules (J).

The charge of an object, measured in Coulombs (C).

The distance between the charges, measured in meters (m).

A constant equal to $8.99 imes 10^9$ N⋅m²/C² or $\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0}}$.

Permittivity of free space constant ($8.85 imes 10^{-12}$ C²/N⋅m²).

Electric Potential Energy: Energy a charge has due to its position in an electric field. | Electric Potential: Voltage; $U_E = qV$.

Positive Potential Energy: Requires work to bring like charges together. | Negative Potential Energy: Requires work to separate unlike charges.

Increases the electric potential energy.

Increases the electric potential energy.

The change in potential energy is $W = \frac{kq^2}{a}(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - 1)$.