Why do protons accelerate towards regions of low potential?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Protons accelerate towards regions of low electric potential due to the nature of electric fields and forces acting on charged particles. In an electric field, the force on a positive charge, such as a proton, acts in the direction opposite to the electric field. This means that as a proton moves from a region of higher potential to lower potential, it experiences a net force that causes it to accelerate towards the lower potential area. Understanding this principle is crucial for analyzing the behavior of charged particles in electric fields.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric potential and electric fields
  • Basic knowledge of forces acting on charged particles
  • Familiarity with the concept of work in physics
  • Knowledge of the behavior of protons and electrons in electric fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between electric field direction and force on charged particles
  • Learn about the concept of electric potential energy
  • Explore the principles of electrostatics and their applications
  • Investigate the motion of charged particles in varying electric fields
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators explaining electrostatics, and anyone interested in the dynamics of charged particles in electric fields.

FelixISF
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
I am a bit confused, because I was trying to solve a question involving lines of constant electric potential and protons/electrons which move through this field.
Now, I noticed that I do not know why protons do accelerate towards lower potential?
Could somebody please explain the reasoning behind this from the first step on?


Thanks for your support!


Felix
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Which way does the field point?
 
I am only given a picture of lines of constant electric potential. the lines are all bent around some centre point and at various distanctes from the point.
The highest potentials are near the point. The lowest are far away.

Does that help ?
 
You need to understand the meaning of potential. It requires work to move a positive charge to a region of higher potential. So which way must the field point and the force act?
 
The field points in the direction opposite of the movement of the proton and the force acts directly opposite to the movement right?
That means, that if no force other than the electric force is acting on the proton, it will automatically accelerate towards lower potential right?
 
Exactly!
 

Similar threads

The potential difference of a proton
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
How does a simple circuit work?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Conceptual Issue RE: electric potential difference
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Electrical Potential Energy and Potential
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Kinetic Energy Needed for Proton Acceleration
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Acceleration of Protons in Magnetic Field and Induced Electric Field
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Can you make pure water acidic by adding free protons to it?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
890
Final Speed of a Proton and Electron
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K
Why are the electrostatic field lines normal to a charged conductor?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Minimizing the Energy of Two Conductors Very Far Apart
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K