If a positive charge is shifted from a low - potential region to a high- potential region, the electric potential energy

Options

A. increases
B. decreases
C. remains the same
D. may increase or decrease

Answer

To solve the problem of how the electric potential energy changes when a positive charge is shifted from a low-potential region to a high-potential region, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Electric Potential Energy
Electric potential energy (U) is the energy that a charge possesses due to its position in an electric field. It is given by the formula:
\[ U = qV \]
where \( q \) is the charge and \( V \) is the electric potential at that point.

### Step 2: Identify the Initial and Final Potentials
In this scenario, we have:
- A low potential region (let's denote this as \( V_i \))
- A high potential region (let's denote this as \( V_f \))

Since the charge is moving from a low potential to a high potential, we have:
\[ V_f > V_i \]

### Step 3: Calculate the Change in Electric Potential Energy
The change in electric potential energy (\( \Delta U \)) when moving a charge from one potential to another is given by:
\[ \Delta U = U_f - U_i = q(V_f - V_i) \]

### Step 4: Analyze the Sign of the Change in Potential
Since \( V_f > V_i \), it follows that:
\[ V_f - V_i > 0 \]

Thus, the change in potential energy becomes:
\[ \Delta U = q(V_f - V_i) > 0 \]
for a positive charge (\( q > 0 \)).

### Step 5: Conclusion
Since the change in potential energy (\( \Delta U \)) is positive, this indicates that the electric potential energy increases when a positive charge is moved from a low-potential region to a high-potential region.

### Final Answer
The electric potential energy increases when a positive charge is shifted from a low-potential region to a high-potential region.

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