Potential Energy in a Uniform Field

For a mass in a uniform gravitational field the change in gravitational potential energy is:

DUg = mg Dh

Similarly, for a charge q moving a distance Dd parallel to the field, the change in electric potential energy is:

DUe = qE Dd

Whether it's an object with mass in a gravitational field, or a charged object in an electric field, when the object is released from rest it will accelerate in what direction?

  1. Toward U = 0
  2. Away from U = 0
  3. In the direction of the field
  4. In the direction of decreasing potential energy
  5. In the direction of increasing potential energy












What happens to the force on the object as the object falls in a uniform field?

  1. The force is always zero
  2. The force steadily decreases
  3. The force is constant
  4. The force steadily increases