Concept:Electric potential energy is given by
U=qV, so it depends on both the sign of the charge and the electric potential.
Explanation:For a positive charge,
q>0, so
U=qV increases when it moves to a higher potential.
Thus, option A is correct, while option C is not correct.
For a negative charge,
q<0, moving to a lower potential makes
U=qV increase, because the negative charge becomes less negative at lower potential.
Therefore, option B is correct.
In a purely electrostatic field, the field is conservative, so the work done around a closed path is zero.
Thus, option D is correct.
The only incorrect statement is option C.
Answer:The electric potential energy of a positively charged particle decreases when it moves to a point of higher potential —
Option C.