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A student is attempting to summarize their results from Activity 21A-2 a. Circle

ID: 1581761 • Letter: A

Question

A student is attempting to summarize their results from Activity 21A-2 a. Circle the proper choices in the summary below: When a positive test charge, initially at rest, is placed in an electric field, the field exerts an electric force on the charge (in the same direction as/opposite the direction as/perpendicular to) the electric field. As the test charge moves in this direction, its kinetic energy (increases/decreases/remains the same). Since total mechanical energy is conserved, its potential energy must (increase/decrease/remain the same) Since I must divide the change in potential energy by the positive test charge to determine voltage difference, throughout the motion the voltage at the positive test charge's location must be (increasing/decreasing/remaining the same). I conclude that the electric field must point in the direction of (increasing/decreasing/constant) voltage. How do your answers to the first paragraph change if we concern ourselves with a negative test charge? b.

Explanation / Answer

a) When a positive test charge placed in electric field, the field exerts an electric force on the charge in the same direction the electric field. as the test charge moves in this direction its kinetic energy increases. since total mechanical energy is conserved, its potential energy must decrease.

since I must divide the change in potential energy by positive test chage to determine voltage difference, throughout the motion the voltage at the positive test chages location must be decreasing. i conclude that the electric field must point direction of decreasing voltage.

b) When a negative test charge placed in electric field, the field exerts an electric force on the charge in the opposite direction the electric field. as the test charge moves in this direction its kinetic energy decrease. since total mechanical energy is conserved, its potential energy must increase.

Dr Jack
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