An alpha particle, which has charge 3.20 3 10219 c, is moved from point a, where the electric potential is 3.60 3 103 j/c, to point b, where the electric potential is 5.80 3 103 j/c. calculate the work done by the electric field on the alpha particle in electron volts.

answer: the potential energy decreases from 379 j to 243 j

explanation:

for the law of conservation of energy, the total energy in a system must be conserved. the total energy of the system is given by the sum of kinetic (k) and potential (u) energy:

e = k + u

the total energy is e=675 j, and this does not change.

initially, the kinetic energy is k=296 j, so the potential energy is

at the end, the kinetic energy is k=432 j, so the potential energy is

so, we see that the potential energy has decreased from 379 j to 243 j.

where is the