Is Postive Electric Field at high potential or Negative electric field?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of an electron in an electric field, particularly in relation to electric potential and potential energy. Participants explore the concepts of electric potential, the movement of charges, and the implications of these movements in the context of positive and negative electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the conventional understanding of electric potential, noting that an electron moves towards a positive terminal, which is considered at a higher potential, raising confusion about movement from lower to higher potential.
  • Another participant clarifies that while electric potential is higher at the positive terminal, the electron moves to lower potential energy, as it is negatively charged.
  • A subsequent participant seeks clarification on whether an electron moves up or down the potential gradient in a positive electric field.
  • Responses indicate that moving "up" the potential gradient corresponds to moving towards higher electric potential.
  • There is an affirmation that an electron does indeed move up the potential gradient in an electric field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relationship between electric potential and potential energy, but there is some confusion regarding the terminology of "up" and "down" in relation to potential gradients, indicating a need for further clarification.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the terminology used to describe movement in electric fields, particularly how it relates to potential and potential energy, which may depend on the definitions applied by participants.

khamaar
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What i mean to say is, for example we have two plates, one positive the other negative...

By convention the positive is said to be at a higher potential than the negative one..

But what if i put an electron between these two plates. The electron would obviously go towards the positive terminal.

How is this possible?...a thing going from lower potential to higher potential?? I was taught that things spontaneously go from Higher to lower!


Thanks in advance
 
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welcome to pf!

hi khamaar! welcome to pf! :wink:
khamaar said:
How is this possible?...a thing going from lower potential to higher potential?? I was taught that things spontaneously go from Higher to lower!

no, things don't spontaneously go from higher potential to lower

they spontaneously go from higher potential energy to lower …

and electric potential is potential energy per charge …

(just like gravitational potential being potential energy per mass)

so an electron (with negative charge) going to higher potential does go to lower potential energy! :smile:
 
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ohhhhh...thanks, i understand..but now there is one other problem.

An electron is left in a positive electric field. Does it go Up the potential gradient? or down the potential gradient?..

thnx in advance...
(PS. this is a question, which i read in some book today)
 
khamaar said:
An electron is left in a positive electric field. Does it go Up the potential gradient? or down the potential gradient?..

well, up is to a higher electric potential, sooo … ? :smile:
 
so an electron moves up the potential gradient in an electric field?
 
yup! :biggrin:
 

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