A2L Item 134

• Description: Identify the situation for which moving a positive charge from infinity to the origin would require the most work.
• Goal: Link work and potential change
• Source: 283-450 Move q, do most work
• Keywords: Electromagnetism, Potentials, Work

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The question for students:

For the following situations consider moving a positive charge from very far away to the origin along the y-axis. For which situation would you do the most work?

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. A & C
6. None of the above.
7. Cannot be determined

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Commentary for teachers:

Answer

(1) Students indicating #7 because they do not know if the masses are charged should not be disconfirmed. If students key on magnitude only they will likely choose answer #5.

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