Question

A proton is moving up and to the right in an electric field directed upward. Select the correct answer.

3a. The horizontal speed of the proton: < increases, decreases, or stays the same >

3b. The vertical speed of the proton: < increases, decreases, or stays the same >

3c. The proton moves in: < a straight line, a circle, a curved line of increasing slope, or a curved line with decreasing slope >

Please give me full explanations and possibly visuals to help me understand. Thanks!

Answer 1

a) stays the same

As there is no force along the horizontal, there is no acceleration and thus no change in speed in horizontal

b) increases

Force is directed upwards and thus speed increases in the vertical direction

c) a curved line of increasing slope

Now, as the vertical speed increases in the upward direction, the resultant velocity will be directed more towards up.

And thus , the slope of the curve increases