All Flashcards
Define electric potential difference.
The amount of energy a charged particle gains or loses when moving between two points.
Define electric potential energy.
The energy a charge possesses due to its location in an electric field.
Define conservation of energy.
The total energy of a system (electric potential energy + kinetic energy) remains constant.
Define electric field.
A region around a charged particle or object within which a force would be exerted on other charged particles or objects.
What is electric potential?
The amount of electric potential energy a unitary point charge would have at a specific location in an electric field.
What is the effect of a charged particle moving through an electric field?
Its electric potential energy changes, and consequently, its kinetic energy also changes to conserve total energy.
What happens if a positive charge moves to a region of lower electric potential?
Its electric potential energy decreases, and its kinetic energy increases.
What happens if a negative charge moves to a region of higher electric potential?
Its electric potential energy decreases, and its kinetic energy increases.
What is the effect of increasing the potential difference through which an electron is accelerated?
The electron gains more kinetic energy and reaches a higher final speed.
What is the effect of increasing the charge of a particle moving through a given potential difference?
The change in electric potential energy is greater, leading to a larger change in kinetic energy.
What is the difference between electric potential energy and electric potential?
Electric potential energy is the energy a charge has due to its position in an electric field. Electric potential is the potential energy per unit charge at a point in the field.
Compare the behavior of a positive charge and a negative charge in an electric field regarding potential energy.
A positive charge loses potential energy moving with the field. A negative charge gains potential energy moving with the field.
Compare the effect of increasing potential difference on kinetic energy of electron vs proton.
Both electron and proton will gain kinetic energy, but the electron will have a much larger speed than the proton.
Compare the effect of moving with and against the electric field on the electric potential energy of a positive charge.
When moving with the electric field, the electric potential energy decreases. When moving against the electric field, the electric potential energy increases.
Compare the effect of moving with and against the electric field on the electric potential energy of a negative charge.
When moving with the electric field, the electric potential energy increases. When moving against the electric field, the electric potential energy decreases.