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

1. lower electric potential and lower potential energy
2. lower electric potential and higher potential energy
3. higher electric potential and lower potential energy
4. 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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