Electric Potential
Work to Move a Charge
Work to move
rb +q from A to B.
+ ++ F+ kqQ
+
++Q++ • • At A: Fa = 2
qE ra
ra kqQ
At B: Fb = 2
rb
kqQ
Avg. Force: Favg = Distance: ra - rb
ra rb
kQq 1 1
Work = Fd = (ra − rb ) Work = kQq −
ra rb rb ra
Absolute Potential Energy
Absolute P.E. is
relative to
rb
+ ++ F+ It is work to bring
+
++Q++ • •
qE +q from infinity to
ra point near Q—i.e.,
from to rb
0
1 1 1 1 kQq
Work = kQq − Work = kQq − =
rb ra rb rb
Absolute Potential kQq
Energy: U=
r
Example 1. What is the potential energy if a
+2 nC charge moves from to point A, 8 cm
away from a +6 C charge?
The P.E. will be positive at A
point A, because the field can • +2 nC
do + work if q is released. 8 cm
+Q
Potential kQq
Energy: U= +6 C
r
(9 x 10 9 Nm 2
C2
)( +6 x 10 C)(+2 x 10 C)
-6 -9
U=
(0.08 m)
U = 1.35 mJ Positive potential energy
Signs for Potential Energy
Consider Points A, B, and C. A
• •B
For +2 nC at A: U = +1.35 mJ 8 cm 12 cm
Questions: +Q •C
4 cm
If +2 nC moves from A to B, +6 C
does field E do + or – work? Moving
Does P.E. increase or decrease? positive q +2 nC
The field E does positive work, the P.E. decreases.
If +2 nC moves from A to C (closer to +Q), the
field E does negative work and P.E. increases.
Example 2. What is the change in potential
energy if a +2 nC charge moves from to B?
A
Potential kQq • •B
Energy: U=
r 8 cm 12 cm
+Q
From Ex-1: UA = + 1.35 mJ
+6 C
(9 x 19 9 Nm 2
C2
)( +6 x 10-6C)(+2 x 10-9C)
UB = = 0.900 mJ
(0.12 m)
U = UB – UA = 0.9 mJ – 1.35 mJ U = -0.450 mJ
Note that P.E. has decreased as work is done by E.
Moving a Negative Charge
Consider Points A, B, and C. A
• •B
Suppose a negative -q is moved. 8 cm 12 cm
Questions: +Q •C
4 cm
If -q moves from A to B, does +6 C
field E do + or – work? Does Moving
P.E. increase or decrease? negative q
-
The field E does negative work, the P.E. increases.
What happens if we move a –2 nC charge from A to B
instead of a +2 nC charge. This example follows . . .
Example 3. What is the change in potential
energy if a -2 nC charge moves from to B?
Potential kQq A
U= • •B
Energy:
r 8 cm 12 cm
From Ex-1: UA = -1.35 mJ +Q
(Negative due to – charge) +6 C
9 Nm 2
(9 x 19 C2
)(6 x 10-6C)(-2 x 10-9C)
UB = = −0.900 mJ
(0.12 m)
UB – UA = -0.9 mJ – (-1.35 mJ) U = +0.450 mJ
A – charge moved away from a + charge gains P.E.
Properties of Space
Electric Field An electric field is a property of
space allowing prediction of the
. E force on a charge at that point.
r kQ
Electric Field : E = 2
++ ++ r
++Q++
The field E exist independently of
E is a Vector the charge q and is found from:
Electric Potential
Electric potential is another property
of space allowing us to predict the U
P. V =
P.E. of any charge q at a point. q
r
Electric U + ++
V= ; U = qV +
++Q++
Potential: q
The units are: joules per coulomb (J/C) Potential
For example, if the potential is 400 J/C at point P,
a –2 nC charge at that point would have P.E. :
U = qV = (-2 x 10-9C)(400 J/C); U = -800 nJ
The SI Unit of Potential (Volt)
From the definition of electric potential as P.E.
per unit charge, we see that the unit must be
J/C. We redefine this unit as the volt (V).
U 1 joule
V= ; 1 volt =
q 1 coulomb
A potential of one volt at a given point means that
a charge of one coulomb placed at that point will
experience a potential energy of one joule.
Calculating Electric Potential
Electric Potential Energy and Potential: kQ
P. V =
kQq U r
U= ; V= r
r q + ++
+
( ) = kQ
kQq ++Q++
Substituting for r Potential
U, we find V: V = q r
kQ The potential due to a positive charge is
V= positive; The potential due to a negative
r charge is positive. (Use sign of charge.)
Example 4: Find the potential at a distance
of 6 cm from a –5 nC charge.
V=
kQ
=
( 9 x 10 9 Nm 2
C 2 ) (−5 x 10-9C)
P. q = –4 C
r (0.06 m)
r 6 cm
Negative V at
- -
-- Q -- VP = -750 V
Point P :
- -
Q = -5 nC What would be the P.E. of a –4 C
charge placed at this point P?
U = qV = (-4 x 10-6 C)(-750 V); U = 3.00 mJ
Since P.E. is positive, E will do + work if q is released.
Potential For Multiple Charges
The Electric Potential V in the vicinity of a number
of charges is equal to the algebraic sum of the
potentials due to each charge.
kQ1 kQ2 kQ3
Q1 - r1 •A
VA = + +
r1 r2 r3
r2
r3
kQ
Q3 -
+
Q2 V =
r
Potential is + or – based on sign of the charges Q.
Example 5: Two charges Q1= +3 nC and
Q2 = -5 nC are separated by 8 cm. Calculate
the electric potential at point A.
kQ1 kQ2 B•
VA = + 2 cm
r1 r2
Q1 + +3 nC
kQ1
=
(
9 x 10 C2
(+3 x 10 C)
9 Nm 2
)
= +450 V
-9
r1 (0.06 m) 6 cm
kQ2
=
( 9 x 10 9 Nm 2
C 2 ) (−5 x 10-9C)
= −2250 V
A •
2 cm
r2 (0.02 m)
-
VA = 450 V – 2250 V; VA = -1800 V Q2 = -5 nC
Example 5 (Cont.): Calculate the electric potential
at point B for same charges.
kQ1 kQ2
VB = + B•
r1 r2 2 cm
kQ1
=
( 9 x 109 Nm
2
C2 ) ( +3 x 10-9C)
= +1350 V
Q1 + +3 nC
r1 (0.02 m)
6 cm
kQ2
=
( 9 x 10 9 Nm 2
C 2 ) ( −5 x 10-9C)
= −450 V
A •
2 cm
r2 (0.10 m)
-
VB = 1350 V – 450 V; VB = +900 V Q2 = -5 nC
Potential Difference
The potential difference between two points A and B
is the work per unit positive charge done by electric
forces in moving a small test charge from the point of
higher potential to the point of lower potential.
Potential Difference: VAB = VA - VB
WorkAB = q(VA – VB) Work BY E-field
The positive and negative signs of the charges may
be used mathematically to give appropriate signs.
Example 6: What is the potential difference between
points A and B. What work is done by the E-field if a
+2 C charge is moved from A to B?
B •2 cm
VA = -1800 V VB = +900 V Q1 + +3 nC
6 cm
VAB= VA – VB = -1800 V – 900 V
A •
Note point B is at 2 cm
VAB = -2700 V Q2 - -5 nC
higher potential.
WorkAB = q(VA – VB) = (2 x 10-6 C )(-2700 V)
Work = -5.40 mJ E-field does negative work.
Thus, an external force was required to move the charge.
Example 6 (Cont.): Now suppose the +2 C charge
is moved from back from B to A?
B •2 cm
VA = -1800 V VB = +900 V Q1 + +3 nC
6 cm
VBA= VB – VA = 900 V – (-1800 V)
A •
This path is from 2 cm
VBA = +2700 V
high to low potential. Q2 - -5 nC
WorkBA = q(VB – VA) = (2 x 10-6 C )(+2700 V)
Work = +5.40 mJ E-field does positive work.
The work is done BY the E-field this time !
Parallel Plates
Consider Two parallel plates of equal
VA + + + +
and opposite charge, a distance d apart.
+q E
Constant E field: F = qE
F = qE
Work = Fd = (qE)d VB - - - -
Also, Work = q(VA – VB)
So that: qVAB = qEd and VAB = Ed
The potential difference between two oppositely
charged parallel plates is the product of E and d.
Example 7: The potential difference between
two parallel plates is 80 V. If their separ-
ation is 3 mm, what is the field E?
VA + + + + V
V = Ed ; E=
+q E d
F = qE 80 V
VB - - - - E= = 26, 700 V/m
0.003 m
The E-field expressed in volts per meter (V/m) is
known as the potential gradient and is equivalent to
the N/C. The volt per meter is the better unit for
current electricity, the N/C is better electrostatics.
