The following show the field lines of a single positive and negative charge respectively.
- Give the signs of the potential differences.
VP - VQ ; VB - VA
- Give the sign of the potential energy difference of a small negative charge between the points Q and P ; A and B.
- Give the sign of the work done by the field in moving a small positive charge from Q to P.
- Give the sign of the work done by an external agency in moving a small negative charge from B to A.
- Does the kinetic energy of a small negative charge increase or decrease in going from B to A.
Dear Student ,
(i) Potentials at point P and Q are positive .P is nearer to the source charge than Q .Also we know that the electrostatic potential at that point is inversely proportional to the distance of the point from the charge .
Therefore , VP > VQ or VP - VQ > 0 .
Potentials at both points A and B are negative .Point B is farther from the charge than the point A .So potential at point B is less negative than point A .
VB > VA or VB - VA > 0 .
(ii) Potential energy art point Q is larger than the potential energy at point P and similarly potential energy at point A is greater than the potential energy at point B .
(iii) When a small positive charge is moved from Q to P then the electric force and displacement are oppositely directed and so the work done by a field is negative .
(iv) When the negative charge is at B , it will experience a force of repulsion away from the source charge .The external agency shall have to apply a force towards the charge . Since both the force and displacement will be in the same direction therefore work done will be positive .
(v) In going from B to A , the negative charge has to perform work against force of repulsion .So the kinetic energy decreases .
Regards
(i) Potentials at point P and Q are positive .P is nearer to the source charge than Q .Also we know that the electrostatic potential at that point is inversely proportional to the distance of the point from the charge .
Therefore , VP > VQ or VP - VQ > 0 .
Potentials at both points A and B are negative .Point B is farther from the charge than the point A .So potential at point B is less negative than point A .
VB > VA or VB - VA > 0 .
(ii) Potential energy art point Q is larger than the potential energy at point P and similarly potential energy at point A is greater than the potential energy at point B .
(iii) When a small positive charge is moved from Q to P then the electric force and displacement are oppositely directed and so the work done by a field is negative .
(iv) When the negative charge is at B , it will experience a force of repulsion away from the source charge .The external agency shall have to apply a force towards the charge . Since both the force and displacement will be in the same direction therefore work done will be positive .
(v) In going from B to A , the negative charge has to perform work against force of repulsion .So the kinetic energy decreases .
Regards