Question

You travel along a path from location A to location B, moving in the same direction as the direction of the net electric field in that region. What is true of the potential difference ${\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{B}}\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{A}}$? (1) ${\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{B}}\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{A}}\mathbf{>}\mathbf{0}$, (2) ${\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{B}}\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{A}}\mathbf{<}\mathbf{0}$, (3) ${\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{B}}\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{A}}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{0}$.

Short answer

The right answer is option (2). The value of the potential difference is$V_B-V_A<0$.

Step-by-step solution

Concept/Significance of the potential difference.

The strength of the field formed by energy placed on the other is measured by the potential difference.

It is frequently measured as the voltage difference between two sites where the voltage must be measured in relation to a known voltage or reference voltage.

Determination of the potential difference.

The electric field always points from the positive charge to the negative charge, and as the electric field direction is from point A to B, it is concluded that the positive side is A and B is on negative side. the positive side A has higher potential energy than the negative side B.

The potential difference is given by,

$∆\mathrm{V}={\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{A}}-{\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}}$is positive

And,

$∆\mathrm{V}={\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}}-{\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{A}}$is negative.

Thus, the right answer is option (2). The value of the potential difference is$V_B-V_A<0$.