24. The work done on a beta-minus particle when moving it from Y to X is found to be −10eV. Equipotential lines are represented by the dashed lines in the diagram.
What is the work done by the field on an electron when it is moved from Z to W in the field shown?
B
Explanation:
A beta-minus particle is the same as an electron, so the particles have the same charge.
Z and X are on the same equipotential line, and Y and W are on the same equipotential line, therefore the magnitudes of the changes in potential will the same.
Moving a particle from Y to X requires −10 eV of work, which means that +10 eV of work is done on the beta-minus particle by the field.
Y to X and Z to W are opposite paths to each other, so the work done by the field on the same particle will be the negative of the work done by the field in the first situation, therefore −10 eV.