(a) what is the change in electric potential energy in moving an electron from a location 4 × 10-10 m from a proton to a location 6 × 10-10 m from the proton? the result should be in joules, with an appropriate sign. j (b) which of the following statement(s) explain the sign of ? if released, the electron would spontaneously move farther from the proton, gaining kinetic energy. negative, because an energy input was required to move the electron farther from the proton positive, because an energy input was required to move the electron farther from the proton the potential energy of the electron-proton system increases as the electron is moved farther away from the proton. the potential energy of the electron-proton system decreases as the electron is moved farther away from the proton.