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Define electric potential energy.
The energy a charge has due to its location in an electric field.
Define electric potential difference.
The difference in electric potential between two points; the work needed to move a unit charge between those points.
Define conservation of energy.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
What is electric potential?
The electric potential energy per unit charge at a specific location in an electric field.
Define kinetic energy.
The energy an object possesses due to its motion.
What are the differences between the movement of positive and negative charges in an electric field?
Positive charges accelerate from higher to lower potential, in the direction of the field. Negative charges accelerate from lower to higher potential, opposite the field.
Compare and contrast electric potential energy and kinetic energy in a closed system.
In a closed system, one increases as the other decreases, maintaining a constant total energy.
How does the electric field affect positive vs negative charges?
The electric field does positive work on positive charges and negative work on negative charges.
Compare the change in potential energy when moving a positive charge to a higher potential versus moving a negative charge to a higher potential.
Moving a positive charge to a higher potential increases potential energy. Moving a negative charge to a higher potential decreases potential energy.
What are the differences between the work done by an electric field on positive and negative charges?
The electric field does positive work on a positive charge moving in the direction of the field, increasing its kinetic energy. The electric field does negative work on a negative charge moving in the direction of the field, decreasing its kinetic energy.
What happens when a positive charge moves from high to low potential?
The system loses electric potential energy, and the charge gains kinetic energy (speeds up).
What happens when a negative charge moves from low to high potential?
The system loses electric potential energy, and the charge gains kinetic energy (speeds up).
What is the effect of an increase in electric potential energy?
A corresponding decrease in kinetic energy, assuming a closed system.
What is the effect of a decrease in electric potential energy?
A corresponding increase in kinetic energy, assuming a closed system.
What happens when a positive charge moves opposite the electric field?
It gains electric potential energy and loses kinetic energy (slows down).
What happens when an electron moves in the direction of the electric field?
It gains electric potential energy and loses kinetic energy (slows down).