Energy diagram

Miike012

Look inside the paint doc.
My question is why does the paragraph say ...A positive charge q gains kinetic energy as it falls towards the negative plate...

However the graph shows that the positive charge q loses kinetic energy....

I am confused what am I not understanding?

mathman

"Falling" appears to mean going toward x = 0, i.e. going left in the graph.

sophiecentaur

I think the U and K labels are the wrong way round in the diagram if time is increasing to the right. K should be increasing and U should be decreasing if a charge starts at rest on one of the plates and accelerates to the other - which is what the written passage says.

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Miike012	Energy diagram Tweet Look inside the paint doc. My question is why does the paragraph say ...A positive charge q gains kinetic energy as it falls towards the negative plate... However the graph shows that the positive charge q loses kinetic energy.... I am confused what am I not understanding? Attached Thumbnails

mathman Recognitions: Science Advisor	"Falling" appears to mean going toward x = 0, i.e. going left in the graph.

sophiecentaur Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor	I think the U and K labels are the wrong way round in the diagram if time is increasing to the right. K should be increasing and U should be decreasing if a charge starts at rest on one of the plates and accelerates to the other - which is what the written passage says.