A proton is released from rest in a uniform electric field. Determine whether the following quantities increase, decrease, or remain unchanged as the proton moves.

Question

Indicate your answers with I, D, or U, respectively.

(a) the electric potential at the proton's location
(b) The proton's associated electric potential energy
(c) Its kinetic energy
(d) Its total energy

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Decreases
the proton will move in the same direction as the electric field. electric fields go from high to low potentials.

(b) D
PE = -qE (change in x)
if we increase location then we are increasing it negatively making it have a smaller potential energy. protons want to get rid of potential energy and turn it into kinetic energy.

(c) I
kinetic energy will increase since potential energy is decreasing.

(d) U
total energy will stay the same since it is conserved.