Confused about negative charges in potential field of a pos charge?

In summary, a potential field is a region in space where a force can be measured and is created by a source, such as a positive charge. Negative charges experience a force in this field due to attraction towards the positive charge, which decreases potential energy as they move closer. The direction of the electric field is the same as the force on a negative charge in this field, causing the negative charge to move towards the positive charge along the electric field lines.
  • #1
applestrudle
64
0
do negative charges in electric fields of positive charges have negative electrostatic potential energy? am I write in thinking they can't be at negative potential (V) because potential is a property of the field and has nothing to do with the charge in the field (like potential energy does)?

:confused:
 
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  • #2
Yes, negative potential energy. That's the case for gravity as well (they are both attractive forces)
 

1. What is a potential field?

A potential field is a region in space where a force can be measured at any point. It is created by a source, such as a positive charge, and is defined as the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from a reference point to a specific point in the field.

2. How does a positive charge create a potential field?

A positive charge creates a potential field by exerting a force on other charged particles in its surroundings. This force is known as an electric field, and it is strongest near the positive charge and decreases as you move away from it.

3. Why do negative charges experience a force in a potential field created by a positive charge?

Negative charges experience a force in a potential field created by a positive charge because they are attracted to the positive charge. This is due to the fact that opposite charges attract each other, and the negative charge will move towards the positive charge in order to minimize the potential energy in the system.

4. What is the relationship between negative charges and potential energy in a potential field of a positive charge?

The relationship between negative charges and potential energy in a potential field of a positive charge is that as the negative charge moves towards the positive charge, the potential energy decreases. This is because the negative charge is moving towards a region of lower potential energy, which is closer to the positive charge.

5. How does the direction of the electric field relate to the direction of the force on a negative charge in a potential field of a positive charge?

The direction of the electric field is the same as the direction of the force on a negative charge in a potential field of a positive charge. This means that the negative charge will move in the same direction as the electric field lines, towards the positive charge. This is because the force on a negative charge is always in the direction of the electric field.

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