During a particular thunderstorm, the electric potential between a cloud and the ground is Vcloud - Vground = 2.9 x 108 V, with the cloud being at the higher potential. What is the change in an electron's potential energy when the electron moves from the ground to the cloud?

The potential energy per electron must decrease by e*(delta V)

= (1.6*10^-19)*2.9*10^8
= 4.6*10^-11 Joules

delta V is positive but e is negative; hence a decrease in P.E.
Clearly a lightning strike could not take place if the change in PE were positive.

-2..4e-11

To calculate the change in an electron's potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud, we need to use the formula:

ΔPE = q * ΔV

Where:
ΔPE is the change in potential energy
q is the charge of the electron
ΔV is the change in electric potential between the ground and the cloud.

The charge of an electron is q = -1.6 x 10^-19 C (coulombs).
The change in electric potential is given as 2.9 x 10^8 V.

Substituting these values into the formula:

ΔPE = (-1.6 x 10^-19 C) * (2.9 x 10^8 V)
= -4.64 x 10^-11 J (joules)

So, the change in an electron's potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud is -4.64 x 10^-11 joules. Note that the negative sign indicates a decrease in potential energy.

To calculate the change in an electron's potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud, we need to use 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 is -1.6 x 10^-19 C (coulombs). The given electric potential difference is 2.9 x 10^8 V.

Substituting the values into the formula:

ΔPE = (-1.6 x 10^-19 C) * (2.9 x 10^8 V)

Calculating the product:

ΔPE = -4.64 x 10^-11 J (joules)

Therefore, the change in an electron's potential energy when it moves from the ground to the cloud is -4.64 x 10^-11 J. Note that the negative sign indicates a decrease in potential energy as the electron moves towards a higher potential.