Log In | Register

Item RG122002: As two oppositely charge particles move closer together, the potential energy decreases, and the kinetic energy increases.

A negatively charged particle, Particle A, is traveling at a constant speed in a straight line. It gets close to a positively charged particle, Particle B, as shown below. 

The two particles are attracted to each other and begin to move toward each other. Which of the following statements correctly describes any changes in the potential energy and kinetic energy of the system of particles as they move toward each other?

  1. The potential energy and kinetic energy both increase.
  2. The potential energy stays the same, and the kinetic energy increases.
  3. The potential energy decreases, and the kinetic energy increases.
  4. The potential energy and kinetic energy both stay the same.
Distribution of Responses
Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item EG122002
Scale Score for Item Difficulty
(200[Easy]-800[Difficult])
514
Students Responding Correctly
Group Correct Total Percent
Overall 551 1495 37%
Grades
  4–5N/AN/AN/A
  6–8 280 810 35%
  9–12 271 685 40%
Gender
  Male26872037%
  Female27475336%
Primary Language
  English510135038%
  Other2811025%

View data table