Question

An electron is moving in the direction of a uniform electric field. What happens to the potential energy of the electron? Is the electron moving to a location of lower or higher potential?

a.potential energy increases, higher potential.

b.potential energy increases, lower potential.

c.potential energy decreases, higher potential.

d. potential energy decreases, lower potential

Answer 1

B) potential energy increases, lower potential

In this case,the accelaration(and hence force) is opposite to the motion,net work done is negative,and hence by work energy theorem,kinetic energy decreases.since only conservative forces are involved,total mechanical energy is conserved therefore potential energy should increase.

It is going with the electric field so the field lines move from higher to lower potential so the electron is moving to a location of lower potential.