A positively charged particle is released from rest in an unform electric field. The electric potential energy of the charge (1) remains a constant because the electric field is uniform. (2) increases because the charge moves along the electric field. (3) decreasases because the charge moves along the electric field (4) decreases because the charge moves opposite to the electric field.

Answer: (3) decreasases because the charge moves along the electric field

When a positively charged particle in a uniform field is released from rest, it travels along the electric field, from higher to lower potential. That is the charge’s electric potential energy drops.

• In a uniform electric field, when a positive charge is released from rest, its velocity rises in the direction of the electric field.
• As a result of the law of conservation of energy, kinetic energy rises and potentiol energy drops.
• The potential energy of positively charged particles drops because the charged particle’s speed reduces as it travels in the direction of the field due to force qE.