Confusion on Potential Changes in Electric Fields

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between electric fields and the potential energy of charged particles, specifically electrons and protons. When an electron slows down in an electric field, its potential energy increases, while a proton slowing down in the same field results in a decrease in potential energy. The confusion arises from the interpretation of the equation ΔKE = qΔV and its implications for voltage signs. Ultimately, the participants clarify that in a constant electric field, a speeding particle experiences a decrease in potential energy, while a slowing particle experiences an increase.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and forces
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy and potential energy concepts
  • Knowledge of the equation ΔKE = qΔV
  • Basic grasp of particle dynamics in electric fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of electric potential energy in detail
  • Learn about the behavior of charged particles in uniform electric fields
  • Explore the implications of the equation ΔKE = qΔV in various scenarios
  • Investigate the differences in potential energy changes for electrons versus protons
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Students of physics, educators explaining electric fields, and anyone interested in the dynamics of charged particles in electric fields.

NotMrX
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If a electron slows down while moving due to an electric field we would say the potential decreases. If a proton slows down while moving into an electric field does potential increase? I am confused because:

[tex]\Delta KE=q\Delta V=\frac{m(v^2_f-v^2_i)}{2}[/tex]

but I would get opposite signs for the voltage in those cases that I thought I was supposed to.
 
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This formula is more quantifying the KE, so i wouldn't use it to figure out your answer. Consider what potential is, its the potential to do something. If an electron is traveling at a high velocity you need to put more energy into it to make it go faster (if that energy is a magnetic field or whatever). If the electron was going slower it would take less effort to make it go faster so Id say when the electron slows down the electrons potential increases. Someone correct me if I am wrong because i probably am, lol... Hope this helps
 
Now I am thinking that maybe we just use the magnitude of the charge. If the electric field is constant, then if the particle speeds up its potential decreases since the energy went into speeding it up. If the particle slows down then it seems like the potential energy increases so then the electric potential increases. However in the book i was reading it said the potential for an electron that's speed slowed down in a constant electric field decreased and ussually it is me that is wrong and not the book
 

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