Chapter 1
1.4 Electrical Potential
23.1. Electric Potential Energy
Electric Potential Energy in a Uniform Field
• Consider a uniform electric field 𝐸 directed along the negative y-axis.
• Suppose that a positive test charge “q0”moves from A to B.
• “q0” undergoes an electric force 𝐹𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐= 𝑞0. 𝐸:
• 𝐹𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐is directed vertically downward.
• The magnitude of 𝐹𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐is constant. A
• 𝐹𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐 is analog to gravitational force 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = 𝑚𝑔 d
• 𝐹𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐is conservative. B
• Its work W
A→B = Felec .d = q0 Ed = q0 E.(y A − y B ) 𝐸
WA→B = U A −U B
• Electric potential energy U elec = q0 E.y
Change in potential energy
A charge q0 (positive or negative) is moving from A to
ds
B, in the direction of electric filed 𝐸.
The change of electric potential energy:
U = U B −U A = q0 Ey B − q0 Ey A
U = −q0 E (y A − y B ) = −q0 Ed
The sign of U depends on the sign of the test charge.
q0 : Positive U : Negative q0 : Negative U : Positive
Electric field does the work on External agency do the work to move
(+q0) when it moves in its direction. the (-q0) in the direction of “𝐸”.
The (+q0) gains kinetic energy and (-q0) gains potential energy when it
accelerates in the direction of “𝐸”. moves in the direction of electric field.
Analogy with gravitational field
• Electric field 𝑬 is directed downward.
• (+q): ( Loses P.E. – Gains P.E.) when it moves in the direction of 𝑬 .
• (+q): ( Gains K.E- Loses k.E.) . when it moves in the direction of 𝑬.
• Gravitational field 𝒈 is directed downward.
• mass m:( Loses P.E. – Gains P.E.) when it moves in the direction
of 𝒈 .
• mass m:( Gains K.E- Loses P.E.) when it moves in the direction
of 𝒈.
Analogy with gravitational field
• Electric field 𝑬 is directed downward.
• (+q): Loses P.E. when it moves in the direction of 𝑬 .
• (+q): Gains K.E. when it moves in the direction of 𝑬.
• (+q): Accelerates when it moves in the direction of 𝑬.
• The electric field does the work to move the (+q) from A to B.
• Gravitational field 𝒈 is directed downward.
• mass m: Loses P.E. when it moves in the direction of 𝒈 .
• mass m: Gains K.E. when it moves in the direction of 𝒈.
• mass m: Accelerates when it moves in the direction of 𝒈.
• The gravitational field does the work to move m from A to B.
Electric Potential Energy of Two Point Charges
• The work of electric force is independent of the path.
• The force is conservative.
• The work could be expressed by the difference of a potential energy
W = −U Now, from the form of
K q q0
We can define the potential energy U when the test charge q0 is at any
distance r from charge q to be
• U is positive if charges have same sign
• U is negative if charges have opposite sign
Electric Potential Energy with Several Point Charges
• Suppose 𝐸 field in which q0 motion is caused by several point charges
q1, q2, q3, ... at distances r1, r2, r3, ... from q0
• The total work done on q0 during any displacement is the sum of
contributions from the individual charges
• The total potential energy associated with q0 is the algebraic sum
K q0
• This potential energy is associated with the
presence of the test charge q0 in the electric
field produced by q1, q2, q3, …
Electric Potential due to point charge
Potential Difference
The potential difference, ∆V =V B - VA , between the points A and B
is defined as the change in potential energy divided by the test
charge q0 (i.e. energy per unit charge).
U
V =
q0
V = V B −V A = qo/rB – k qo/ rA
Electric Potential
The electric potential V at an arbitrary point in an electric field
equals the work of external force required to bring a unit positive
charge from infinity to that point.
The electric potential “V” is also defined as:
The potential energy per unit charge.
U
V=
q0
The electric potential V is a scalar quantity.
Units
Electric Potential (V)
Volt (V) : Unit of electric potential & potential difference
U [U ] J
V= [V ] =
[q0 ] [V ] =
J 1 Volt = 1
q0 C C
This means, (1J) of work is required to take a (1C) charge through a
potential difference of (1V).
New units for energy: Electron Volt (eV)
V=
U
q
U = qV
Let, V =1Volt and q = e =1.610 C -19
U = 1.610−19 C 1V U = 1.6 10 −19
J
This quantity is called the electron volt (eV)
[1 eV = 1.610 −19
J]
Equipotential Surface: Definition
Any surface, consisting of a continuous distribution of points
having the same electric potential.
⚫ Equipotential surface is perpendicular to to the electric field.
⚫ Example: The line BC is actually a cross-section of
an equipotential surface (normal to 𝐸).
• Consider a charged particle moving between any
two points on BC ( i.e. on an equipotential surface)
• Let us now calculate the change in potential energy.
The change in the potential energy is
U = q0V V = zero U = zero
• No work is done in moving a test charge between any two points on
an equipotential surface. 26
Quick Question
The labeled points in the Fig. below are on a series of equipotential
surfaces associated with an electric field .
⚫ Note:
⚫ A and B lie on the 9V plane
⚫ C and E lie on the 7V plane
⚫ D lies on the 6V plane
⚫ No points lie on the 8V plane
⚫ Rank from (greatest to least): The work done by the electric field on a
positively charged particle that moves from
⚫ a) A to B
⚫ b) B to C
⚫ c) C to D
⚫ d) D to E
27
Potential difference in a uniform electric field
Displacement parallel to the electric field
Consider a uniform electric field 𝐸 directed along the negative y-axis.
Let us calculate the potential difference between two points
A & B separated by a distance d, where d is // to field lines
A
V = −Ed d
V = VB −V A = −Ed 23
Potential difference in a uniform electric field
V = VB −V A = −Ed
• The minus sign in the equation above means
that point B is at a lower potential than point A . A
d
• Electric field lines always point in
B
the direction of decreasing electric
𝐸
potential.
