Solution:

A positive charge, when released in an electric field:

- Moves along the direction of the electric field.
- Electric field lines point from higher potential to lower potential.
- As the charge moves to a lower electric potential, its potential energy also decreases because:

\[
U = qV
\]

For a positive charge (\(q > 0\)), both \(V\) and \(U\) decrease. Hence, the charge moves toward lower electric potential and lower potential energy.