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A positive charge is let go from rest in a uniform electric field. What happens to its electric potential energy?

1. It stays unchanged since the field is uniform
2. It increases because the charge moves in the direction of the field
3. It decreases because the charge moves in the direction of the field
4. It decreases because the charge moves opposite to the field

Correct answer: It decreases because the charge moves in the direction of the field

Solution

A positive charge released from rest accelerates along the field toward lower potential; its potential energy decreases (converting to kinetic energy).

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