Question

The electric potential difference between the ground and a cloud in a particular thunderstorm is 13 X 108 V. What is the magnitude of the change in the electric potential energy of an electron that moves between the ground and the cloud?

Answer 1

here,

potential difference , V = 13 * 10^8 V

charge on electron , e = 1.6 * 10^-19 C

the electric potential energy , PE = V * e

PE = 13 * 10^8 * 1.6 * 10^-19 J

PE = 2.1 * 10^-10 J

the electric potential energy of electron is 2.1 * 10^-10 J