During a particular thunderstorm, the electric potential difference between a cloud and the ground is Vcloud - Vground = 4.90 108 V, with the cloud being at the higher potential. What is the change in an electron's electric potential energy when the electron moves from the ground to the cloud?
The change in an electron's electric potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud can be calculated using the formula:
ΔPE = q * ΔV,
where
ΔPE is the change in potential energy,
q is the charge of the electron, and
ΔV is the change in electric potential.
The charge of an electron, q, is given by q = -e, where e is the elementary charge (-1.6 x 10^-19 C).
Plugging in the values, we have:
ΔPE = (-e) * ΔV
= (-1.6 x 10^-19 C) * (4.90 x 10^8 V)
Calculating the product:
ΔPE = - (1.6 x 10^-19 C) * (4.90 x 10^8 V)
= -7.84 x 10^-11 J
Therefore, the change in an electron's electric potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud is approximately -7.84 x 10^-11 Joules.
To determine the change in an electron's electric potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud, we can use the equation:
ΔPE = q * ΔV
where
ΔPE is the change in electric potential energy,
q is the charge of the electron, and
ΔV is the potential difference between the cloud and the ground.
In this case, we know that the potential difference is Vcloud - Vground = 4.90 * 10^8 V, and the charge of an electron is q = -1.6 * 10^-19 C (since electrons have a negative charge).
Let's substitute these values into the equation:
ΔPE = (-1.6 * 10^-19 C) * (4.90 * 10^8 V)
ΔPE = -7.84 * 10^-11 J
Therefore, the change in an electron's electric potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud is -7.84 * 10^-11 J. Since the electron moves from a lower potential (ground) to a higher potential (cloud), the negative sign signifies a decrease in potential energy.