Two positively charged particles are first brought close together and then released. Once released, the repulsion between particles causes them to move away from each other. (a) This is an example of potential energy being converted into what form of energy? (b) Does the potential energy of the two particles prior to release increase or decrease as the distance between them is increased.

When the two positively charged particles are brought close together, there is potential energy stored in the system due to the electrostatic force between the particles. Once released, this potential energy is converted into another form of energy as the particles start moving. The conversion occurs as the repulsive force between the particles causes them to move away from each other. This movement indicates that the potential energy stored in the system is being converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy associated with the motion of the particles.

The potential energy is converted into kinetic energy when the particles are released.

To analyze the relationship between potential energy and the distance between the positively charged particles, we need to consider the expression for electrostatic potential energy. The potential energy (PE) between two charged particles can be calculated using the formula: \(PE = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r}\) where \(k\) is the electrostatic constant, \(q_1\) and \(q_2\) are the charges of the particles, and \(r\) is the distance between the particles. In this case, both the charges are positive, so the potential energy would be positive. Since the two particles are repelling each other, the potential energy would be maximum when the distance between them is minimum. As they move apart, the potential energy will decrease as the distance between them increases.

The potential energy of the two particles prior to release decreases as the distance between them is increased.