Electric Currents and Magnetic Feilds

[lampshader]

Homework Statement

If you put a POSITIVE test charge in an electric field, does it move toward a higher or lower potential? If you put a NEGATIVE test charge in an electric field, does it move toward a higher or lower potential?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

seeking an explanation.

 

[kuruman]

You can answer this question yourself if you first answer the following two

1. If a positive charge is released from rest in a an electric field does it move in the same direction as the E field lines or in the opposite direction? What if the charge is negative?

2. Do electric field lines point from a region of high potential to a region of low potential or the other way around?

 

[kerimek]

When a positive test charge is placed in an electric field, it will move towards a lower potential. This is because the electric field is created by positive charges and the positive test charge will experience a force in the direction of the electric field. Since the electric field lines point towards lower potential, the positive test charge will move in that direction.

On the other hand, when a negative test charge is placed in an electric field, it will move towards a higher potential. This is because the electric field is created by positive charges and the negative test charge will experience a force in the opposite direction of the electric field. Since the electric field lines point towards lower potential, the negative test charge will move in the opposite direction, towards a higher potential.

In summary, the direction of movement of a test charge in an electric field depends on its charge. Positive charges will move towards lower potential, while negative charges will move towards higher potential. This is because electric fields are created by charges and the direction of the field lines indicates the direction of the force experienced by a test charge.