The work done by an external force to move a -8.0 uC charge from point a to point b is 25*10^-4 Joules. If the charge was started from rest and had 5.2 * 10^-4 Joules of kinetic energy when it reached point b, what must be the potential difference between a and b?
ΔU= Δv *q
The Attempt at a Solution
My attempt was basically trying to understand what the question is asking from me:
From what I understand from this problem statement, there is an electric field force that is pushing the negative 8 uC charge away from point B, so as a result the charge requires work from an external force to get to point B.
The external force is pushing the negative charge against the force of the electric field, and once it reaches point B, it does not stop and hold the charge there. I am assuming the charge is still being pushed, so that means there is kinetic energy.
My question is if the 25*10^-4 Joules of work done by the external force is the total work done, and if so, how come some of it is transferred to kinetic energy - is it because the charge is still moving so that means not all of it can become electric potential energy, and it is only when the charge is held still when all of the energy is electric potential energy?
Thank you very much.
Last edited by a moderator: