Physics 12 Honors/Regular Notes Electric Potential and Energy V1.

0 (KWP) Page 1 of 6
For more information, refer to.
1. Giancoli - Physics: Principles with Applications (5th Edition): Chapter 17 Electric Potential
and Electric Energy; Capacitance
as well as other resources.

Data Table
Charge on proton/electron q
p
/ e ()1.60 10
19

Coulombs constant k 9.0 10
9
Nm
2
/C
2

Permittivity of free space
0
= (1/
2

0
) 8.85 10
12
C
2
/Nm
2

Electron rest mass

9.11 10
31
kg
Proton rest mass

1.6726 10
27
kg
Neutron rest mass

1.6749 10
27
kg








In the diagram above,




Example
An electron close to the surface of the negative plate is
attracted by the positive plate.
Assuming that it starts at rest, calculate the electrons
speed when it reaches the positive plate.
(e = )
+
-
+
B A
=

(E
P
increses)

(+) work: Work done ON the particle
against the electric field
+
It is convenient to define a new term:
=

, where
is called the electric potential. It is
measured in J/C. (Or

= )
Charge of the
particle (C)
=

=
is the potential difference between in
the positions A and B. is often called
the voltage across the device in circuits
which can be measured with a voltmeter.

+ -
i f
e
-
1000 V
1.60 10
19


Physics 12 Honors/Regular Notes Electric Potential and Energy V1.0 (KWP) Page 2 of 6
Solution: According to the conservation of energy,
or,








Aside
When v -> c, then we need to replace the rest mass, m
0
, of the particle with its relativistic
mass given by,



Refer to unit of Theory of Special Relativity (Giancoli - Physics: Principles with Applications
(5th Edition) - Chapter 26). This particle will never travel at a speed equal or greater than the
speed of light, c.
Electric Field across parallel plates



But

so
Substitute equation (2) into equation (1):

Uniform electric field,
Only for Parallel Plates

| = |

|
= (

)
0


()

(1.60 10
19
)(1000) =
1
2

2


The electric potential
energy of the
negatively charged
particle decreases as it
is moved from the
negative plate to the
positive plate.
1.60 10
16
=
1
2
(9.11 10
31
)

= 1.8 10
7
/
(-) Work done BY the
due to the field.

=

2

-
+
+
q
d

=
Uniform Electric Field (Constant force to move
the inside across)
=
=
E

=
F

= E

(E

) =
(1)
(2)
E

Physics 12 Honors/Regular Notes Electric Potential and Energy V1.0 (KWP) Page 3 of 6
Thus we have shown that the uniform field between parallel, , can be found if we know
the potential difference and the separation of the plates.
(Note: We have also shown that E can also be measured in V/m.)

Example











Accelerating plates Deflecting plates





Work done and point charge sources







E

-
+
1000
(a) Draw the electric field lines between the plates.
Solution: Already drawn on the diagram.
(b) Calculate the electric field, E between the plates.
Solution:
Constant force
Constant acceleration
Uniform motion
Equations of motion
E

=
||

=
|1000|
1.5 10
2

= 6.7 10
4
/()
1.5 cm
+ -
+
-
Parabolic

Compare with
projectile motion

e
-

e
-

In gravitational we learnt that potential energy is
given by the equation

. This has been

derived by finding the area under the graph.
Similarly the potential energy of a charged
particle, q, at a distance r, from a point charge
source Q, is given by

0
Physics 12 Honors/Regular Notes Electric Potential and Energy V1.0 (KWP) Page 4 of 6




Example 1
Calculate the change in potential energy (or work done) to move the electron from A to B.








Or

Note: The work done to move the electron from A to B is equal to the change in potential
energy.

Energy and point charges











0

r

+ 5

e
-

2
3
e = 1.60 10
19

= (

= (
1

)
= (9.0 10
9
Nm
2
C
2
)(+5.0 10
6
C)(1.60 10
19
) (
1
0.03

1
0.02
)
= 1.2 10
13

= = (

)
Electric potential of a point charge
+
e
-
Q
1

The work done to move the e
-
from a distance
r
i
and r
f
away from the fixed point charge Q
1
is

W =

where F =

2

Charge of an electron
.

This gives W =

= E

, (if

Solution:
Physics 12 Honors/Regular Notes Electric Potential and Energy V1.0 (KWP) Page 5 of 6



Dont forget that charge of an electron is negative! This negative sign would cancel out the
other negative sign in the equation.
In general, the electric potential energy of a charged particle q that is at a distant r away from
a point charge Q is given by the following equation:














It is again convenient to use electric potential, V, which is

due to a point charge Q. (Not for parallel plates: )

Example 1

Charge of an electron
.

() ,

( ) 0

Note:

= 0

is the Coulombs constant

(J)
0 (m)
Same polarity (i.e.: [+Q, +q] or [-Q,-q])

Opposing polarity (i.e.: [+Q, -q] or [-Q, +q])
compare with gravitational attraction

=

1
= 1

2
= 2

+


5

4

6

p
+

1

2

Physics 12 Honors/Regular Notes Electric Potential and Energy V1.0 (KWP) Page 6 of 6
Calculate:
(a) The protons change in potential, , as it moves from A to B.
(b) The work done to get proton from A to B.
Note:
- sign must be used in the equations and should not be omitted.
Energy (and therefore) potential are scalar. Dont worry about direction. (There are no
components)
Solution:
(a) To solve this question, we need to solve for the electric potential of the proton at point A
and point B, and then find change in electric potential by taking the difference.














(b)

1
=

2
=

=
1
+
2
=

1
+

2


= (9.0 10
9
Nm
2
C
2
)(
1 10
6
C
9 10
2
m
)(
2 10
6
C
4 10
2
m
) = 3.5 10
5
V

1
=

2
=

=
1
+
2
=

1
+

2


= (9.0 10
9
Nm
2
C
2
)(
1 10
6
C
15 10
2
m
)(
2 10
6
C
10 10
2
m
) = 1.2 10
5
V
=

= (1.2 10
5
V) (3.5 10
5
V) = 2.3 10
5
V
=
= = (.

)(2.3 10
5
V)
= 3.7 10
14

Note: Charge of proton
has same magnitude as
that of the electron.

An increase in