If a proton is released from rest in a uniform electric field does electric potential at its position increase, stay the same, or decrese?
When a proton is released from rest in a uniform electric field, the electric potential at its position will decrease.
To understand why, let's start by defining electric potential. Electric potential is the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electric field. It is often denoted by V and has units of volts (V).
In a uniform electric field, the electric potential is constant throughout the field. When the proton is at rest, it has electric potential energy but no kinetic energy. As it starts to move in the electric field, the electric potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) should remain constant. As the proton gains kinetic energy, its electric potential energy decreases.
Therefore, the electric potential at the proton's position decreases as it moves in a uniform electric field.
To summarize, when a proton is released from rest in a uniform electric field, its electric potential at the position decreases.