Consider an electron which is moving in the same direction as the direction of a
ID: 1498780 • Letter: C
Question
Consider an electron which is moving in the same direction as the direction of an E-Field. Circle the statements below which are correct (there can be more than one correct answer).
A) The electron is moving from low potential to high potential and gaining electric potential energy.
B) The electron is moving from low potential to high potential and losing electric potential energy.
C) The electron is moving from high potential to low potential and gaining electric potential energy.
D) The electron is moving from high potential to low potential and losing electric potential energy.
E) The electron’s kinetic energy is decreasing and its electric potential energy is increasing
Explanation / Answer
C) The electron is moving from high potential to low potential and gaining electric potential energy.
E) The electron’s kinetic energy is decreasing and its electric potential energy is increasing
Remember, electrons are negatively charged.
Electric field and electric potential (voltage) are defined to be "positive centric" for hypothetical positive charge. But here electron moves in same direction of E, Hence electrons behave positive.
Positive charges tend to go "downhill" in an electric field, thus decreasing in voltage and decreasing in electric potential energy.