1. Jun 8, 2010 #1

   seto6

   

   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

    

   seto6, Jun 8, 2010
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3. Jun 8, 2010 #2

   rcgldr

   

   Homework Helper

   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: Jun 8, 2010

   rcgldr, Jun 8, 2010
4. Jun 8, 2010 #3

   seto6

   

   got it the charge that changes the potential energy

    

   seto6, Jun 8, 2010

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