Activity 2 — Electric Potential Energy
At the instant shown, a positively charged particle is moving at 5 m/s in the direction of a uniform electric field. Someone makes the following statement:
“As the particle continues to move in the direction of the electric field, the particle will gain potential energy since it is moving in the direction of increasing electric potential energy.”
What, if anything, is wrong with the above statement? If something is wrong, explain the error and how to correct it. If the statement is valid, explain.
Two test charges are brought separately into the vicinity of a charge +Q. First, test charge +q is brought to a point a distance r from +Q. Then this charge is removed and test charge -q is brought to the same point. The electrostatic potential energy of which test charge is greater?
Which group of charges took more work to bring together from a very large initial distance apart?
Which group of charges took more work to bring together from a very large initial distance apart?
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