Answer: option 2. increases
Explanation: The work done to move a charge in an electric field is given by:
U = F.d = F d cos θ
where F is the electric force between two charges and d is the distance between two charges and θ is the angle between the direction of force exerted and direction of displacement of charge.
F = q E
Where, q is the charge and E is the electric field.
⇒ U = q E d cos θ
When a positively charge object moves in an electric field in the same direction, θ = 0°, cos 0°= 1
⇒ U = q E d
As the charged object moves, d would increase. Electric field (E) and charge (q) are constant. Hence, the electric potential energy would increase.
