Electric potential energy to kinetic energy

In summary, the problem involves calculating the voltage difference between two points given the work done and charge moved between them. In part B, the charge is released and the question is to find its kinetic energy as it flies back to point A. The principle guiding the answer is the conservation of energy. The answer for part B is 12J, which is the same as the work done in part A due to the conservative nature of electric fields.
  • #1
cerberus9
26
0

Homework Statement


There were two parts to this problem

a) if you do 12 J of work to push 0.001 C of charge from point A to point B in an electric field, what is the voltage difference between A and B?

I already solved this part, I got [tex]\Delta[/tex]V=12,000 V


b) When the charge is released, what will be its kinetic energy as it flies back past its starting point A? What principle guides your answer?

Here i have absolutely no idea what to do.

Homework Equations



[tex]\Delta[/tex]V=W/q

[tex]\Delta[/tex]V=[tex]\Delta[/tex]PEelectric/q


The Attempt at a Solution



I've gotten through part A but i have no idea how to approach part B.
 
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  • #2
I think Electric fields are conservative, so if you do work against it, then hold your charge and then release it, then it will gain the same energy going back out ... so would it be 12J at point A?

:/ I try to help
 
  • #3
Villhelm said:
I think Electric fields are conservative, so if you do work against it, then hold your charge and then release it, then it will gain the same energy going back out ... so would it be 12J at point A?

:/ I try to help

how did you get 12 J?
 
  • #4
cerberus9 said:
how did you get 12 J?

You said 12J above as the work done in moving the charge, which I think is conserved when it comes back out. That's how I understand it, maybe I'm missing something ... it happens :frown:
 
  • #5
Villhelm said:
You said 12J above as the work done in moving the charge, which I think is conserved when it comes back out. That's how I understand it, maybe I'm missing something ... it happens :frown:

haha no, don't be upset, you're right. that's the answer in the back of the book. I'm just totally lost as to how to get to it.
 
  • #6
cerberus9 said:
haha no, don't be upset, you're right. that's the answer in the back of the book. I'm just totally lost as to how to get to it.

Use the work-energy theorem and the conservation of energy.
 
  • #7
I think it just comes about because electric fields are "conservative" fields ... like in ballistics questions, the ball goes up with V and comes down with -V ... because gravity is conservative too. So, the KE into the ball is spent moving upwards, but it gains the same coming back down.
 
  • #8
Villhelm said:
I think it just comes about because electric fields are "conservative" fields ... like in ballistics questions, the ball goes up with V and comes down with -V ... because gravity is conservative too. So, the KE into the ball is spent moving upwards, but it gains the same coming back down.

thanks a bunch :biggrin:
 

FAQ: Electric potential energy to kinetic energy

What is electric potential energy?

Electric potential energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its position in an electric field. It is the ability of an object to do work due to its electric charge and its location relative to other charged objects.

How is electric potential energy related to kinetic energy?

Electric potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy when an electrically charged object moves from a higher potential energy to a lower potential energy. This movement creates a flow of charged particles, resulting in kinetic energy.

What factors affect the amount of kinetic energy produced from electric potential energy?

The amount of kinetic energy produced from electric potential energy depends on the magnitude of the electric charge, the distance the object moves, and the strength of the electric field. The greater the charge and distance, and the stronger the electric field, the more kinetic energy will be produced.

Can electric potential energy be converted into other forms of energy?

Yes, electric potential energy can be converted into other forms of energy such as thermal energy, sound energy, and light energy. This conversion occurs when the electrically charged object interacts with other objects or materials.

How is electric potential energy measured?

Electric potential energy is measured in joules (J) using the formula: PE = qV, where q is the electric charge in coulombs (C) and V is the electric potential in volts (V). The higher the electric charge and electric potential, the greater the electric potential energy.

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