For each of the following processes, does the potential...

For each of the following processes, does the potential energy of the object(s) increase or decrease? (a) The charge of two oppositely charged particles is increased. (b) $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$ molecule is split into two oppositely charged ions, $\mathrm{H}^{+}$and $\mathrm{OH}^{-}$. (c) A person skydives from a height of 600 meters.

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Key Concepts

Gravitational Potential Energy

This is the energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field, typically related to its height above a reference level. As an object moves to a lower elevation, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, and vice versa.

Chemical Bond Energy

This concept pertains to the energy stored within the bonds that hold atoms together in a molecule. The formation or breaking of chemical bonds involves changes in energy; breaking bonds typically requires an input of energy, while forming bonds releases energy. This plays a key role in processes like molecular dissociation, where the potential energy landscape changes due to the rearrangement of electrons and nuclei.

Electric Potential Energy

This concept refers to the energy stored due to the relative positions of electric charges. It depends on both the magnitude of the charges and the distance between them, following Coulomb’s law. Changes such as increasing the magnitude of charges or altering their separation affect the energy stored in the electric field between them.

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