is:

where r is the distance between the point charges q and Q, and q and Q are the charges (not the absolute values of the charges--i.e., an electron would have a negative value of charge when placed in the formula). The following outline of proof states the derivation from the definition of electric potential energy and Coulomb's law to this formula.

One point charge q in the presence of n point charges Q_i

The electrostatic potential

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