Electric Potential: Does Energy Increase/Decrease?

AI Thread Summary
When an electron moves from a high electric potential to a low electric potential, its electric potential energy decreases due to its negative charge. The equation V = U/q0 indicates that potential energy (U) is inversely related to potential (V) when considering the charge. Therefore, as the electron moves to a lower potential, it loses energy. This aligns with the understanding that negative charges behave oppositely to positive charges in electric fields. The consensus confirms that the correct answer is that the electric potential energy decreases.
Litcyb
Messages
34
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



As an electron moves from a high potential to a low potential, its electric potential energy?

a) increases
b) remains the same
c) decreases


Homework Equations



we know that

V=U q0
the electric potential = potential energy times the charge.


The Attempt at a Solution


i think the answers is a, since we have to take into account that the charge is negative.
but many people argue other wise. i just want to verify what's the right answer and why.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You are right.

ehild
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Why does electric potential energy increase if you move against the field?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Electric Potential Energy of Point Charge Systems
Replies
2
Views
891
The sign of the change in potential
Replies
7
Views
415
Why Is Work Positive When Done Against the Electric Field?
Replies
22
Views
3K
Electrical Potential Energy and Potential
Replies
2
Views
1K
Potential and Electric Field near a Charged CD Disk
Replies
2
Views
2K
Change in electric potential energy
Replies
3
Views
2K
Minimizing the Energy of Two Conductors Very Far Apart
Replies
23
Views
1K
Confusing definition of electrical potential energy
Replies
17
Views
2K
Potential difference between two points in an electric field
Replies
1
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top