Negative/positive question

[Raiden2012]

I'm probably being nitpicky but if a value changes from -4 to -1, it is considered a decrease by a factor of 4 right?

Not sure if questions will ask about increase/decrease. The more I think about it, this could also be an increase. Just want to find out whether such situations arise during a test

So for example, positive and negative charge, if one is brought closer to the other, does the electric potential increase or decrease? It becomes more negative so it decreases? Or increase because the magnitude goes up?

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[sciencebooks]

I'm probably being nitpicky but if a value changes from -4 to -1, it is considered a decrease by a factor of 4 right?

Not sure if questions will ask about increase/decrease. The more I think about it, this could also be an increase. Just want to find out whether such situations arise during a test

Ah, good question. I've never seen anything where the +/- is tested and noticed that they say something like "magnitude" a lot. I guess you're right though that TECHNICALLY the value has increased though since it's less negative.

 

[Raiden2012]

Haha I ask this because I saw some similar question in tpr online and also saw 1 forum person bring up this topic regarding an actual mcat he just took

 

[shaboobly]

i think it's magnitude because negative implies a direction. so it decreases.

 

[milski]

The magnitude decreased 4 times. The number technically increased but that is rather awkward phrasing. Increased by 3 is a similar situation but a bit more likely to encounter.