How do two like charges interact when brought close to each other?

How do two like charges interact when brought close to each other?

• A. Attract
• B. Neutralize
• C. Orbit
• D. Repel

Answer: (D)

Like charges repel. When two objects carry the same type of electric charge, they push away from each other because the electric force between them acts along the line joining them and points outward. According to Coulomb’s law, the force grows as the charges get closer, so bringing them near increases the repulsion. This is why the system’s potential energy is higher when like charges are close together, and why they naturally separate. Opposite charges would attract, since their charge product is negative, causing an inward pull. Neutralization isn’t how this interaction works between two isolated charges.

Like charges repel. When two objects carry the same type of electric charge, they push away from each other because the electric force between them acts along the line joining them and points outward. According to Coulomb’s law, the force grows as the charges get closer, so bringing them near increases the repulsion. This is why the system’s potential energy is higher when like charges are close together, and why they naturally separate. Opposite charges would attract, since their charge product is negative, causing an inward pull. Neutralization isn’t how this interaction works between two isolated charges.