You want to put an electron somewhere between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor so that it will have the maximum electrical potential energy relative to one of the plates.The best place to put it is at the inner surface of the negative plate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electrical potential energy of a charged particle in a capacitor is directly proportional to the potential difference between the plates. Since the potential on the negative plate is lower than the potential on the positive plate, the electron will experience a higher potential energy when placed closer to the negative plate. Therefore, placing the electron at the inner surface of the negative plate will give it the maximum electrical potential energy relative to one of the plates.

You Want to Put an Electron Somewhere Between the Plates