Charged Particles in Electric Fields: Energy, Potential, and Work
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Electric Field Fundamentals
5.a) Charged Particle Movement and Energy Changes
When a charged particle moves in an electric field, if the electric force (Fe) is conservative, the change in mechanical energy (ΔEM) is zero. This implies an inverse relationship between kinetic energy (Ec) and potential energy (Ep): if Ec increases, Ep decreases, and vice versa.
If a particle's speed decreases upon entering an electric field, its charge is negative. Conversely, if its speed increases, its charge is positive.
5.b) Work Done by Magnetic Fields on Charges
No work is performed by a magnetic field on a charged particle. A magnetic field generates a magnetic force that is always perpendicular to the path of the charged particle, meaning it does no work.