Question

A positive charge is placed at rest at the center of a region of space in which there is a uniform electric field. (A uniform field is one whose strength and direction are the same at all points within the region.) What happens to the electric potential energy of the positive charge, after the charge is released from rest in the uniform electric field?

A. It will remain constant because the electric field is uniform.
B. It will remain constant because the charge remains at rest.
C. It will increase because the charge will move in the direction of the electric field.
D. It will decrease because the charge will move in the opposite direction of the electric field.
E. It will decrease because the charge will move in the direction of the electric field.

Answer 1

E. It will decrease because the charge will move in the direction of the electric field.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electric potential energy decreases uniformly as the charge move away in the direction of the field. Since a positive charge that experiences a force in the direction of an electric field increases its kinetic energy at the expense of its electric potential energy.