Module 3 - Physics 108

Electric Potential
MODULE #3
Content
• Electric Potential Energy
• Electric Potential
• Potential Difference
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Electric Potential Energy
If an electrostatic force acts between two or more charged particles within a system of particles, we
can assign an electric potential energy to the system.
Work done ∆𝑈 = 𝑈𝑓 − 𝑈𝑖
Work done to move a test charge 𝑞0 from infinity to a distance 𝑅 that is in the vicinity of an electric
field produced by 𝑄
∞
𝑈= 𝐹𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 U is positive when both q1 and q2 are
𝑅 both positive or negative, but it
becomes negative as one of the charges
𝑄𝑞0 becomes negative.
𝑈 = 𝑘𝑒 [𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠]
𝑅
The electron volt (eV) is also a unit of energy, used for describing energy of a subatomic particle as well as emission and
absorption of visible light from atoms.
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Electric Potential Energy
Exercise #1
Three point charges are held at the corners of an equilateral triangle. What is the electric
potential energy of the whole system?
Assume: 𝑞1 = +150 𝑛𝐶, 𝑞2 = − 600𝑛𝐶, and 𝑞3 = +300 𝑛𝐶 and each side of the triangle
has the length of 12 𝑐𝑚.
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Electric Potential
The electric potential energy per unit charge , called electric potential, has a unique value at every point
in an electric field.
𝑈 𝑄 Q is positive, 𝑉𝑝 = +𝑉𝑒
𝑉𝑝 = =
𝑞0 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
Q is negative, 𝑉𝑝 = −𝑉𝑒
It is a scalar quantity and has the unit of [J/C] or Volt.
∞ 𝐴
General Form 𝑉𝐴 = 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = − 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝐴 ∞
Electric potential at an arbitrary point in an electric field equals the work required per unit charge to bring
a positive test charge from infinity to that point.
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Electric Potential
Exercise #2
A charge q1 = 2.0 C is located at the origin and a charge q2 = - 6.0 C is located at (0, 3.0)m.
(a) Find the total electric potential due to these charges at the point P, whose coordinates are
(4.0, 0)m.
(b) Find the change in potential energy of the system of two charges plus a third charge 𝑞3 =
3.0 𝐶 as the latter charge moves from infinity to the point P.
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Potential Difference
The difference between potential of two points is called potential difference.
∞ ∞
𝑉𝐴 = 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 𝑉𝐵 = 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝐴 𝐵
𝐵
𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 = 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝐴
𝐵
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝐴
The potential difference between two points exists solely because of a source charge and depends on the source charge
distribution. For a potential energy to exist, we must have system of two or more charges. The potential energy belongs to
a system of two or more charges.
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Potential Difference in a Uniform Electric Field
 When the electric field is directed downward, point B is at a
lower potential than point A.
 When a positive charge moves from A to B, the charge-field
system loses potential energy.
 If a negative charge moves from B to A, the charge- field

system loses potential energy.
Remember, the change in potential energy is equal to the negative of the work
done by the force of the system .
∆𝑼 = 𝑼𝒇 − 𝑼𝒊 = −𝑾
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Charged Particle in a Uniform Electric Field
 A positive charge is released from rest and moves in
the direction of the electric field
 The change in potential is negative
 The change in potential energy is negative
 The force and acceleration are in the direction of the

field
 Conservation of energy can be used to find its speed
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Potential Difference
Exercise #3
A proton is released from rest in an electric field that has a magnitude of 8.0 × 104 𝑉/𝑚. The
proton undergoes a displacement of 0.5 𝑚 in the direction of the electric field.
Find the change in potential energy and the speed of the proton after completing the
displacement.
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Charged Particle in a Uniform Electric Field
 Point B is at a lower potential than point A
 Points B and C are at the same potential

 All points in a plane perpendicular to a
uniform electric field are at the same
electric potential. It means
𝑽𝑩 − 𝑽𝒄 = 𝟎
 The name equipotential surface is given to
any surface consisting of a continuous
distribution of points having the same electric
potential
5/31/2022 PHY 108 11

Equipotential Surface
Equipotential surface refers to a surface consisting of a continuous distribution of points having the same
electric potential. It is perpendicular to the electric field lines.
Properties:
1. If a test charge 𝑞0 is moved from one equipotential surface 𝑉𝐴 to another

equipotential surface 𝑉𝐵, work done is equal to 𝑊 = 𝑞0 (𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 ).
2. The electric field lines are perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.
3. Equipotential surfaces indicate region of strong and weak electric field. Thus in
strong fields, equipotential surfaces are closely spaced.
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Equipotential Surface
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Electric Potential

• Electric Potential Energy

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 If a negative charge moves from B to A, the charge- field

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 The change in potential is negative

 The change in potential energy is negative

 The force and acceleration are in the direction of the

 Conservation of energy can be used to find its speed

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 Points B and C are at the same potential

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1. If a test charge 𝑞0 is moved from one equipotential surface 𝑉𝐴 to another

2. The electric field lines are perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.

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