What happens to the electric potential energy of a negatively charged ion as it moves through the water from the negative probe to the positive probe?

Decreases.

Explanation:

Electric potential energy is the potential energy which is associated with the configuration of points charge in a system and it is the result of conservative coulomb force.

When the negatively charge ion is at the position of the negative probe than its potential energy is positive when it is move towards the positive probe it's potential energy becomes negative due to the negative ion.

Therefore, potential energy is decreases when negative charge ion moves through the water from negative probe to positive probe.

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