Electric Potential

Ctto:Paul E. Tippens
 Objectives:
• Understand and apply the concepts of electric
potential energy, electric potential, and electric
potential difference.
• Calculate the work required to move a known
charge from one point to another in an electric field
created by point charges.
• Write and apply relationships between the electric
field, potential difference, and plate separation
for parallel plates of equal and opposite charge.
 Review: Work and Energy
Workisis defined
Work defined as
asthe
theproduct
product of
of displacement
displacement dd
and aa parallel
and parallelapplied
appliedforce
force F.
F.

Work ==Fd;
Work Fd; Units:
Units:1 J1 =J =
1N1N
m
m
PotentialEnergy
Potential Energy U U isis defined
defined as
as the
theability
abilitytoto do
do
workby
work byvirtue
virtueofofposition
positionororcondition.
condition.(Joules)
(Joules)

KineticEnergy
Kinetic Energy KK isisdefined
definedasasthe
the ability
ability to
todo
do work
work
byvirtue
by virtueofofmotion
motion(velocity).
(velocity).(Also
(Alsoininjoules)
joules)
Signs for Work and Energy

Work (Fd)
Work (Fd) isispositive
positiveififan
anapplied
applied force
force FFisis
ininthe
thesame
samedirection
directionasasthe
thedisplacement
displacementd.d.

The force F does positive work.

B
F The force mg does negative work.
m d The P.E. at B relative to A is
mg positive because the field can do
A positive work if m is released.
P.E. at A relative to B is negative;
outside force needed to move m.
 Gravitational Work and Energy
Consider work against g to move m
from A to B, a vertical height h. B
F
Work = Fh = mgh m h
mg g
At level B, the potential energy U is:
A
U = mgh
(gravitational)
The external force does positive work;
the gravity g does negative work.
The
Theexternal
external force
force FF against
againstthe
the g-field
g-field increases
increases the
the
potential
potential energy.
energy.IfIf released
released the
thefield
field gives
gives work
work back.
back.
 Electrical Work and Energy
An external force F moves +q
from A to B against the field force
B ++++
qE. Fe
Work = Fd = (qE)d d
+q +
At level B, the potential energy U is: E
qE
U = qEd (Electrical) A - - - -
The E-field does negative work;
External force does positive work.
The
Theexternal
externalforce
forceFF against
against the
theE-field
E-field increases
increases the
the
potential
potential energy.
energy.IfIfreleased
releasedthe
thefield
fieldgives
giveswork
work back.
back.
 Work and Negative Charges
Suppose a negative charge –q is
moved against E from A to B.
B ++++
Work by E = qEd qE
-q d
At A, the potential energy U is:
E
U = qEd
(Electrical) A - - - -
No external force is required !
The
TheE-field
E-fielddoes
does positive
positivework
workon on –q
–q decreasing
decreasing the
the
potential
potential energy.
energy.IfIf released
released from
from BB nothing
nothing happens.
happens.
 Work to Move a Charge
Work to move
rb +q from A to B.
  
++ +   F At A: kqQ
Q++ Fa 
++ qE ra2
ra
+ At B: Fb 
kqQ
rb2

Avg. Force: Favg  kqQ Distance: ra - rb

ra rb

kQq 1 1
Work  Fd  r r (r a  b
Work  kQq  
ab  rb ra 
r)
 Absolute Potential Energy
Absolute P.E. is
relative to 
rb
++Q++    It is work to
  F bring
++ qE
ra +q from infinity to
pointnear
from to Q—
rb
i.e., 0
1 1  1 1  kQq
Work  kQq   Work  kQq   
 rb ra   rb   rb

Absolute Potential
kQq
Energy: U
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
)(6 x 10 -6
C)(+2 x 10 -9
C)
U C 2

(0.08 m)

U
U == 1.35
1.35 mJ
mJ Positive potential energy
 Signs for Potential Energy
Consider Points A, B, and C. A For +2
 B
nC at A: U = +1.35 mJ 8 cm
12 cm
Questions: +Q
4 cm C
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?

Potential kQq A
U  B
Energy:
r 8 cm
12 cm
+Q
From Ex-1: UA = + 1.35 mJ
+6 C

(9 x 199 Nm 2 )(6 x 10-6C)(+2 x 10-9C)

2

UB  C  0.900 mJ
(0.12 m)
U = UB – UA = 0.9 mJ – 1.35 mJ U
U ==-0.450
-0.450 mJ
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
4 cm C
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 A
Energy: U 
kQq  B
r 8 cm
12 cm
From Ex-1: UA = -1.35 mJ +Q
(Negative due to – charge) +6 C

(9 x 199 Nm 2
)(6 x 10-6C)(-2 x 10-9C)
UB  C2  0.900 mJ
(0.12 m)
UB – UA = -0.9 mJ – (-1.35 mJ) U
U ==+0.450
+0.450 mJ
mJ

A
A–– charge
chargemoved
moved away
away from
from aa ++ charge
charge gains
gains P.E.
P.E.
Recall:Properties of Space
Electric Field An electric field is a property of
space allowing prediction of
. the force on a charge at that
r point.

+ E+ E
F
; F  qE q
+Q +
+ ++
E is+a Vector The field E exist independently of
the charge q and is found from:

Electric Field : E  kQ
2
r
 Electric Potential
Electric potential is another property
of space allowing us to predict the U
P.E. of any charge q at a point. P. V  q
r
Electric U
Potential: V  ; U  qV ++Q++
+++
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

U == -800
-800 nJ
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
Apotential
potential of
of one
onevolt
volt at
at aa given
given point
point means
means that
that
aa charge
charge of
of one
one coulomb
coulomb placed
placed at
at that
that point
point will
will
experience
experienceaapotential
potentialenergy
energyofofoneonejoule.
joule.
 Calculating Electric Potential
Electric Potential Energy and Potential:
kQ
U P. V  r
kQq V r
U ; q
r ++Q++

Substituting for 

kQ r kQ
+++
Potential
+
U, we find V: V  q 
q r
kQ The The potential
potential due
due to to aa positive
positive charge
charge is
V  is
positive;TheThe
positive; potential
potential due todue to a
a negative
r negative
charge is charge
positive.is(Use
positive.
sign of(Use sign
charge.)
of charge.)
Example 4: Find the potential at a distance
of 6 cm from a –5 nC charge.
9 x 109 Nm 2 (5 x 10-9C)
2

kQ C
q = –4 C
V 
P. r (0.06 m)

r 6 cm Negative V at
VVPP== -750
-750 V
V
- - Q- - 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

U == 3.00
3.00 mJ
mJ

Since
SinceP.E.
P.E.isispositive,
positive, EE will
willdo
do ++ work
work ifif qq isis released.
released.
 Potential For Multiple Charges
The Electric
The Electric Potential
Potential VVinin the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of aa number
number
ofofcharges
chargesisisequal
equaltotothe
thealgebraic
algebraicsumsumofofthe
the
potentials
potentials due
due toto each
each charge.
charge.

Q1 - r1 A VA  kQ1  kQ2  kQ3

r1 r2 r3
r2
r3
+
Q3 - Q2 kQ
V  r

Potentialisis ++ or
Potential or –– based
basedon
on sign
sign of
of the
thecharges
charges Q.
Q.
 Example 5: Two charges Q1= +3 nC and Q2
= -5 nC are separated by 8 cm. Calculate
the electric potential at point A.

B
VA  kQ1  kQ2 2 cm
r1 r2
kQ1 
9 x 10 9 Nm2
(3 x 10 -9
C) Q1
+ +3 nC
C2
 450 V
r1 (0.06 m) 6 cm

kQ 2 
9 x 109 Nm (5 x 10-9C)
2

A 
C2
 2250 V 2 cm
r2 (0.02
m) -
VA = 450 V – 2250 V; V
VAA== -1800
-1800 V
V Q2 = -5 nC
 Example 5 (Cont.): Calculate the electric potential
at point B for same charges.

VB  kQ1  kQ2 B
r1 r2 2 cm

kQ1 
9 x 10 9 Nm2
(3 x 10 -9
C) Q1
C2 + +3 nC
 1350 V
r1 (0.02 m)
6 cm

kQ 2 
9 x 109 Nm 2
(5 x 10 -9
C)
A 
C2
 450 V 2 cm
r2 (0.10
m) -
VB = 1350 V – 450 V; V
VBB== +900
+900 V
V Q2 = -5 nC
Example 5 (Cont.): Discuss meaning of the potentials
just found for points A and B.

Consider Point A: VV
A
A=
= -1800VV
-1800
B
2 cm
For
For every
every coulomb
coulomb ofof positive
positive charge
charge
Q1
placed
placed at
at point
point A,
A, the
the potential
potential energy
energy + +3 nC
will
willbe
be–1800
–1800J.J.(Negative
(Negative P.E.)
P.E.)
6 cm
The
The field
field holds
holds on
on to
to this
thispositive
positive A 
charge. An
An external
external force
force must
must do 2 cm
charge.
do
+1800 J of work to remove each -
+1800 J ofof
work to remove each Q2 = -5 nC
coulomb + charge to infinity.
coulomb of + charge to infinity.
Example 5 (Cont.): Discuss meaning of the potentials
just found for points A and B.

Consider Point B: V
VBB== +900
+900 V
V B 
2 cm
For
For every
every coulomb
coulomb of of positive
positive charge
charge Q1
+ +3 nC
placed
placed at
at point
point B,
B, the
the potential
potential energy
energy
will
willbe
be+900
+900J.J.(Positive
(Positive P.E.)
P.E.) 6 cm
A 
For
For every
every coulomb
coulombof of positive
positivecharge,
charge, 2 cm
the field
the field E
E will
will do
do 900
900 JJ of
of positive
positive -
work
workininremoving
removingitittotoinfinity.
infinity. Q2 = -5 nC
 Potential Difference
The
The potential
potential difference
difference between
between two two points
points AAand
and BB
isis the
thework
work per
per unit
unit positive
positivecharge
chargedone
donebyby electric
electric
forces
forces inin moving
moving aa small
smalltest
testcharge
chargefrom
fromthe
thepoint
pointofof
higher
higher potential
potential to
to the
thepoint
point of
of lower
lower potential.
potential.

Potential
Potential Difference:
Difference: V AB = V A - VBB

WorkAB
Work = q(V
AB = q(VAA–– VVBB)) Work BY
Work BY E-field
E-field

The
Thepositive
positiveand
andnegative
negativesigns
signsof
ofthe
thecharges
chargesmay
may
be used
be used mathematically
mathematically to
to give
give appropriate
appropriate signs.
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
V
VAA==-1800
-1800 V
V V
VBB== +900
+900 V
V Q1
+ +3 nC
VAB= VA – VB = -1800 V – 900 V 6 cm
A 
Note point B is at 2 cm
VVAB
AB=
= -2700
-2700 V
V higher potential. Q2 - -5 nC

WorkAB = q(VA – VB) = (2 x 10-6 C )(-2700 V)

Work
Work == -5.40
-5.40 mJ
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
V
VAA==-1800
-1800 V
V V
VBB== +900
+900 V
V Q1
+ +3 nC
VBA= VB – VA = 900 V – (-1800 V) 6 cm
A 
This path is from 2 cm
VVBA
BA=
= +2700
+2700 V
V high to low potential. Q2 - -5 nC

WorkBA = q(VB – VA) = (2 x 10-6 C )(+2700 V)

Work
Work == +5.40
+5.40 mJ
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
Constant EEfield: F = qE
field: F = qE
F = qE
VB - - - -
Work = Fd = (qE)d
Also, Work = q(VA – VB)

So that: qVAB = qEd and VVAB

AB=
= Ed
Ed

The
Thepotential
potentialdifference
differencebetween
between two
twooppositely
oppositely
charged parallel
charged parallel plates
plates is
is the
the product
product of
of E
E and
and d.
d.
Example 7: The potential difference between
two parallel plates is 800 V. If their separ-
ation is 3 mm, what is the field E?
V
VA + + + + V  Ed; E
+q E d
F = qE 80 V
VB - - - - E  26, 700
0.003 m V/m

The
TheE-field
E-field expressed
expressedin involts
voltsper
permeter
meter(V/m)
(V/m)isis
known
known as as the
the potential
potential gradient
gradient and
and isis equivalent
equivalent to
to
the
the N/C.
N/C. The
The volt
volt per
per meter
meter is
is the
the better
better unit
unit for
for
current
currentelectricity,
electricity,the
theN/C
N/Cisisbetter
better electrostatics.
electrostatics.
 Summary of Formulas
U
Electric
ElectricPotential
Potential kQq V
Energy U ; q
Energyand
andPotential
Potential
r
Electric
ElectricPotential
PotentialNear
Near kQ
Multiple charges:
Multiple charges: V  r

Work AB==q(V
WorkAB q(VAA––VVBB)) Work
Work BY
BY E-field
E-field

Oppositely V
OppositelyCharged
Charged V  Ed; E
Parallel Plates:
Parallel Plates: d