A positive charge moves in a direction opposite to that of an electric field. What happens to the energy associated with the charge?

Question

Miriam Riddle

Physics

1 January, 00:47

A positive charge moves in a direction opposite to that of an electric field. What happens to the energy associated with the charge?

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Answers (1)

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Xander Morrison · Answer 1

There is an increase in the potential energy and a relative decrease in the kinetic energy of the particle.

Explanation:

The direction of the electric field is in the direction of the force that acts on a positively charged particle.

When the positively charged particle moves opposite to the direction of the electric field work is done which is stored in the form of electrostatic potential energy in the vicinity of the field.

If there are no external forces acting o the charge particle like the force of gravity, etc then the total energy associated with the system remains constant.

It means with the increase in the potential energy of the particle there must be a relative decrease in the kinetic energy of the particle for the total energy to remain constant.