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Please help explain the change of the potential energy and potential of a proton moving in the same direction as the electric field. (i.e. P.E. increases, potential decreases). But also, please explain WHY this is so.

I will give my best answer to the most the person who answers most thoroughly and so I can understand it the best, not the fastest answerer. Thank you in advance.

2007-03-23 16:08:35 · 3 answers · asked by Texas Cowgirl 3 in Science & Mathematics Physics

3 answers

Electric fields are in the direction from positive charges to negative charges because they show the direction a positive charge will move. The closer to the positive charge a proton is the more potential energy it has because the electric force is bigger so the proton will have more work done on it by the filed the closer to a positive charge it is when it is released. As the proton moves along the electric field it is moving away from the positive charge and its potential energy is decreasing.
I'm not quite sure what the potential of the proton means. Potential is measured in volts and the potential comes from the field, not the proton. The potential goes down as you move away from a positive charge, that is, along the direction of the electric field, but it doesn't depend on wether there is a proton, electron or whatever at that location. It is a property of the electric field.

2007-03-23 16:28:19 · answer #1 · answered by hello 6 · 0 0

"Potential" and "potential energy" in an electric field refer to the same thing, related by the formula

∆PE = q*∆V

where ∆PE is the change in potential energy, ∆V is the electric potential difference, and q the charge. If the proton moves freely in the field, it will lose potential energy and gain kinetic energy, and it being a positive charge, will move from a higher electric potential to a lower one.

2007-03-23 16:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0 0

element 2 is the place the electrical powered field could be 0. the two repulsive fields create area of 0 electric powered field. even though it rather is risky. A try cost located there might sense no stress inspite of the undeniable fact that it would could be like a ball on the best of a hill. a sprint push the two way and it would flow alongside the closest field line removed from the + rates. As for the damaging cost, there are field strains getting into the damaging cost from the postive cost all around it. bear in recommendations the sphere strains originate on the helpful cost.

2016-12-08 09:52:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

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