why does electric potential energy decrease when an electron flows from low to high electric field?
The correct answer and explanation is:
When an electron moves from a region of low electric potential to a region of high electric potential, its electric potential energy decreases. This occurs due to the nature of the electric field and the way electrons interact with it.
An electric field exerts a force on charged particles, and the potential energy of a charged particle is related to the position of the particle in the field. In general, the electric potential energy of a charge is higher when it is closer to regions of higher potential. For an electron, which carries a negative charge, it naturally moves from areas of higher potential to lower potential in an attempt to minimize its potential energy.
In simpler terms, the electric field is a region where a charged particle experiences a force. A region of high electric potential means that it would take more work to move a charge to that point, thus increasing the potential energy. On the other hand, a region of low electric potential would require less work to move the electron, making the potential energy lower.
As the electron moves from the lower potential (where the field is weaker) to the higher potential (where the field is stronger), it is moving against the direction of the electric field. The force exerted by the electric field on the electron opposes its motion, which results in the electron losing energy.
This energy loss translates into a decrease in electric potential energy. Since the electron is moving against the field, it gains kinetic energy as it accelerates toward the region of higher potential. However, this process leads to a net decrease in the system’s electric potential energy because the electron is displaced from a higher to a lower energy state in relation to the field.