Problem: A point charge is released from rest in a region containing an electric field. The charge will start to move: (A) in a direction that makes its potential energy increase (B) in a direction that makes its potential energy decrease (C) along a path of constant potential energy (D) Either A or B, depending on the sign of the point chargeA point charge is released from rest in a region containing an electric field. The charge will start to move: (A) in a direction of increasing electric potential (B) in a direction of decreasing electric potential (C) along a path of constant electric potential (D) Either A or B, depending on the sign of the point charge

FREE Expert Solution

Change in potential energy:

$\boxed{\mathit{W}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{-}\mathit{\Delta }\mathit{U}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{∆}\mathit{V}\mathbf{·}\mathit{q}\mathbf{)}}$

Change in electric potential:

$\boxed{\mathbf{\Delta }\mathbf{V}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{E}\mathbf{•}\mathbf{\Delta }\mathbf{d}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{E}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{d}\mathbf{f}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{d}\mathbf{0}\mathbf{)}}$

(a)

Coulomb's force will do positive work. The work will be converted into kinetic energy of the charge.

When a force does positive work potential energy decreases.

91% (321 ratings)