Question

If the electric field itself does the work in moving a charge, then:

Options

• The system's potential energy decreases

• The system's potential energy becomes infinite

• The system's potential energy remains constant

• The system's potential energy increases

Answer 1

When the electric field does the work on the charge, the system expends its stored energy, so the potential energy of the system decreases. In contrast, positive external work increases the electrostatic potential energy.