A positively charged particle is released from rest in a uniform electric field. The electric potential energy of the charge

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Since electric field is a conservative field, the total mechanical energy will always remain conserved.

When charge is at rest, the initial Kinetic Energy (K.E_i)

When charge starts moving, the final Kinetic Energy (K.E._f)

Here, m is the mass of the charged particle and v is the velocity of the charged particle.

U_i denotes initial potential energy while U_fdenotes final potential energy.

Since total mechanical energy is conserved

We know that the LHS of the above equation is greater than zero. Thus, the RHS is also greater than zero.