The fact that we can define electric potential energy means that:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability to define electric potential energy indicates that the electric force is conservative, meaning that the work done on a charged particle is independent of the path it takes. Choice A is incorrect, as a nonconservative force cannot have a well-defined potential energy function. Choice C is incorrect because the definition of a conservative force is that the work done by the force only depends on the endpoints and not the path taken. Choice D is not necessarily true - there may not be a point where the electric potential energy is zero depending on the configuration of charges. Choice E is not true because a conservative force does not require work to move between two points and back again.

The Fact That We Can Define Electric Potential Energy Means