Question

The electric potential difference between the ground and a cloud in a particular thunderstorm is $\mathbf{1}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{2}\mathbf{\times }{\mathbf{10}}^{\mathbf{9}}\mathbf{}\mathit{V}$. In the unit electron-volts, what is the magnitude of the change in the electric potential energy of an electron that moves between the ground and the cloud?

Short answer

The magnitude of the change in the electric potential energy of an electron is $∆U=1.2GeV$.

Step-by-step solution

Given data:

The electric potential difference between the ground and a cloud in a particular thunderstorm is,

$∆V=1.2\times {10}^{9}V$

Understanding the concept:

The potential difference is the change of potential energy per unit charge.

Using potential energy equation

$\mathit{U}\mathbf{=}\mathit{q}\mathit{V}$

Here, U is the potential energy, q is the electric charge, and V is the potential.

The magnitude of the change in the electric potential energy:

Calculatethe magnitude of the change in the electric potential energy of an electron that moves between the ground and the cloud.

$\begin{array}{rcl}∆U& =& e∆V\\ & =& 1.2\times {10}^{9}eV\\ & =& 1.2GeV\end{array}$

Hence, the magnitude of the change in the electric potential energy of an electron is 1.2 GeV.