Electric Potential Energy: Practice Problem & Solution

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Electric Potential Energy. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

For a free target, the target can recoil, sharing kinetic energy with the projectile, leading to less relative kinetic energy converted into potential energy, hence a larger distance of closest approach. Total energy is always conserved if only conservative forces are present for both free and fixed targets. Thus (A) is true and (R) is false.