An inverted parabola can be used to represent the potential energy of a proton based on its distance from the center. The proton will move to the right when released. If enough energy is added to the system, the proton will escape into space and leave the atmosphere.

Did the proton move into a region of higher potential or lower potential?

The forces on the proton can be divided into three zones:

There are no forces acting on the particle in the first zone because the potential is zero. The particle moves at a constant speed in the first zone. In the second zone, potential energy becomes negative and ends when it reaches zero again. There is equal force pulling and pushing on it at this point, so its motion will slow down until it comes to a stop in midair. The particle in this third zone has enough kinetic energy to escape Earth’s gravity pull, but its inertia keeps it moving forward until all of its kinetic energy has been expended.

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Gravity becomes an accelerating force and takes over at that point, increasing air resistance as a result. The particle slows down and eventually falls back to Earth.

Neither a higher potential nor a lower potential region was reached by the proton. Instead, it moved from one zone to another based on its energy level. There was no force acting on it and it moved at a constant speed in the first zone.

In the second zone, there was an equal force pushing and pulling on it so its motion slowed down until it came to a stop in midair.

Last but not least, the proton had enough kinetic energy to escape from Earth’s gravitational pull, but inertia kept it moving forward until it had expended all its kinetic energy.

So, you got the clear idea about “Did the proton move into a region of higher potential or lower potential?”. Let us know if you have any questions in the comment section.

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