Potential and potential energy

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A positive test charge accelerates toward areas of lower electric potential and potential energy, while a negative test charge moves toward higher electric potential and lower potential energy. The concept of electric potential is derived from the field created by a charged source, remaining independent of the charge's sign. In contrast, potential energy is affected by the charge of the particle, as it is calculated by multiplying potential by the charge. Therefore, the sign of potential energy changes depending on whether the particle is positive or negative. Understanding this distinction clarifies the behavior of charges in an electric field.
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1) A positive test charge will accelerate toward regions of lower electric potential and lower electric potential energy.

2) A negative test charge will accelerate toward regions of higher electric potential and lower electric potential energy.

could someone explain the two statements above..? plss

was looking over it and got confused "always do"

really confused.
thanks in advance
 
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Potential is based on a field from a charged source, and ignores the charge of the particle in the field, so potential is independent of the sign of the charge of a particle in a field. Potential energy multiplies potential times the charge of the particle, so it's sign changes if the particle has a negative charge.
 
Last edited:
got it the charge that changes the potential energy
 

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