When a negative charge is released from rest in an electric field, it spontaneously moves toward a region of:

lower electric potential and lower potential energy
lower electric potential and higher potential energy
higher electric potential and lower potential energy
higher electric potential and higher potential energy

Correct answer: higher electric potential and lower potential energy

Solution

A freely released charge always moves toward lower potential energy U. Potential energy U = qV. For a negative charge (q < 0), U decreases as V increases. Therefore the negative charge moves toward higher electric potential while its potential energy decreases.

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