decide how the sketches below would be listed, if they were listed in order of decreasing potential energy…

decide how the sketches below would be listed, if they were listed in order of decreasing potential energy. that is, select \1\ beside the sketch that shows the system with the highest potential energy, select \2\ beside the sketch that shows the system with the next highest potential energy, and so on.\nnote for advanced students: since the units of each charge are not written, you may assume any convenient and reasonable unit, for example coulombs or multiples of e.

decide how the sketches below would be listed, if they were listed in order of decreasing potential energy. that is, select \1\ beside the sketch that shows the system with the highest potential energy, select \2\ beside the sketch that shows the system with the next highest potential energy, and so on.\nnote for advanced students: since the units of each charge are not written, you may assume any convenient and reasonable unit, for example coulombs or multiples of e.

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall potential - energy formula

$U = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r}$ for two - point charges. Opposite charges attract, same charges repel. Larger charges and closer distances lead to higher potential energy for like - charges and lower for opposite - charges.

Step2: Analyze first sketch

Opposite charges, lower potential energy.

Step3: Analyze second sketch

Same charges, some potential energy.

Step4: Analyze third sketch

Larger same - charge magnitude, higher potential energy.

Step5: Analyze fourth sketch

Smaller same - charge magnitude, lower potential energy than third.

Answer:

Top - left: 4, Top - right: 3, Bottom - left: 2, Bottom - right: 1