Uniform Electrical potential energy

In summary, potential energy travels from higher potential energy to lower potential energy along a uniform electric field through the force of the electrostatic force, which is in the direction of decreasing potential energy. This means that the particle will accelerate towards lower potential energy, ultimately losing potential energy as it gains kinetic energy. The equation PE=qdeltaXE can be used to quantitatively show this relationship, where Q is positive, delta X is position, and E is positive. Additionally, in one dimension, the work done is defined as dW = F deltaX, and if the force is conservative, the potential energy is defined as deltaU = - deltaW = - F deltaX. This means that the force is always opposite to the direction of motion
  • #1
ysmin55555
1
0
Can someone explain the math of how potential energy travels from higher potential energy to lower potential energy (PE) along a uniform electric field?

I understand that in order for the point charge to move, gaining kinetic energy, it will lose potential energy. But using the equation PE=qdeltaXE, Q is positive, delta X is position and E is positive. So what am I missing to quantitatively show that potential energy is decreasing?
 
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  • #2
ysmin55555 said:
delta X is position
##\Delta x## is change in position, which is negative in your example.
 
  • #3
Your question can be more general. In one dimension:
the work done is dW = F Δx.
If the force is conservative, the potential energy is defined as ΔU = - ΔW = - F Δx
The force is F = - ΔU/Δx
So the force is in the direction of decreasing potential energy. That only says that the acceleration is in the direction of decreasing potential energy, not that the particle moves in the direction of decreasing potential energy. For example, the particle could be given an initial velocity in the direction of increasing potential energy (you could throw a ball up), and it would slow down because the force is opposite to the direction of motion.
The electrostatic force is a particular example of this, with F = qE.
 
  • #4
ysmin55555 said:
how potential energy travels from higher potential energy to lower potential energy
That's not the way to discuss energy, imo. A system / object may move m(or just change) in such a way as to reduce the Potential Energy but the PE hasn't actually moved. A possible exception to that statement could be throwing a coiled spring across a room. In that case you could say that the PE of the coiled spring has moved but I don't think that would take you anywhere useful.
 
  • #5
There was that problem in the language of ysmin55555. As sophiecentaur says, the potential energy does not move anywhere. It is the particle that accelerates towards lower potential energy.
 

1. What is uniform electrical potential energy?

Uniform electrical potential energy is the energy possessed by a charged particle due to its position in a uniform electric field. It is also known as electric potential energy or electrostatic potential energy.

2. How is uniform electrical potential energy calculated?

The formula for calculating uniform electrical potential energy is U = qV, where U is the potential energy, q is the charge of the particle, and V is the potential difference between two points in the electric field.

3. What is the unit of measurement for uniform electrical potential energy?

The unit for uniform electrical potential energy is joules (J).

4. How does uniform electrical potential energy differ from gravitational potential energy?

Uniform electrical potential energy is the energy associated with the electric force, while gravitational potential energy is the energy associated with the gravitational force. Additionally, gravitational potential energy depends on an object's mass and its position in a gravitational field, while electrical potential energy depends on the charge of a particle and its position in an electric field.

5. What is the significance of uniform electrical potential energy in everyday life?

Uniform electrical potential energy plays a crucial role in many modern technologies, such as batteries, electronic devices, and power grids. It is also essential in understanding the behavior and interactions of charged particles in nature and in scientific experiments.

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