Question

If a negative charge instead of a positive charge were used in this problem, qualitatively how would your answers change?

(Select all that apply.)
A. kinetic energy magnitude increases
B. electric potential energy changes sign
C. electric potential energy magnitude decreases
D. test charge never passes through point b
E. kinetic energy magnitude decreases
F. electric potential energy magnitude increases
G. kinetic energy changes sign

Answer 1

If a negative charge instead of a positive charge were used in this problem, the electric potential energy would change sign and decrease in magnitude. The kinetic energy magnitude would also decrease.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a negative charge instead of a positive charge were used in this problem, the following changes would occur:

• Electric potential energy changes sign: The sign of the electric potential energy would change, indicating a change in the direction of the force experienced by the charge.
• Electric potential energy magnitude decreases: The magnitude of the electric potential energy would decrease, as the negative charge would experience an attractive force towards the positive charges in the system.
• Kinetic energy magnitude decreases: With a negative charge, the magnitude of the kinetic energy would decrease, as the negative charge would accelerate towards the positive charges in the system.