Electromagnetic Field Theory

Chapter 4
Energy and Potential

EMFT 4/1

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Energy Expended in Moving a Point Charge in an Electric Field

The electric field intensity was defined as the force on a unit
test charge at that point where we wish to find the value of the
electric field intensity.
To move the test charge against the electric field, we have to
exert a force equal and opposite in magnitude to that exerted
by the field. We must expend energy or do work.
To move the charge in the direction of the electric field, our
energy expenditure turns out to be negative. We do not do
the work, the field does.

EMFT 4/2

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Energy Expended in Moving a Point Charge in an Electric Field

Suppose we wish to move a charge Q a distance dL in an
electric field E, the force on Q arising from the electric field is:

FE QE
The component of this force in the direction dL which we must
overcome is:

FEL FE a L QE a L

The force that we apply must be equal and opposite to the force
exerted by the field:

Fappl QE a L

Differential work done by external source to Q is equal to:

dW QE a L dL QE dL
If E and L are perpendicular, the
differential work will be zero
EMFT 4/3

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Energy Expended in Moving a Point Charge in an Electric Field

The work required to move the charge a finite distance is
determined by integration:

final

dW

init

W Q

final

init

E dL
The path must be specified beforehand
The charge is assumed to be at rest at both initial
and final positions
W > 0 means we expend energy or do work
W < 0 means the field expends energy or do work

EMFT 4/4

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

The Line Integral

The integral expression of previous equation is an
example of a line integral, taking the form of
integral along a prescribed path.
Without using vector notation,
we should have to write:

W Q

final

init

EL dL

EL: component of E along dL

The work involved in moving a charge Q from B to A is

approximately:

W Q ( EL1L1 EL 2 L2 EL 6 L6 )
W Q (E1 L1 E 2 L 2 E6 L 6 )
EMFT 4/5

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

The Line Integral

If we assume that the electric field is uniform,

E1 E2 E6
W QE (L1 L 2 L 6 )
L BA

Therefore,

W QE L BA

(uniform E)

Since the summation can be interpreted as a line integral, the

exact result for the uniform field can be obtained as:
A

W Q E dL
B

W QE dL

(uniform E)

W QE L BA

(uniform E) For the case of uniform E, W

does not depend on the particular

path selected along which the
charge is carried
EMFT 4/6

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

The Line Integral

Example
Given the nonuniform field E = yax + xay +2az, determine the
work expended in carrying 2 C from B(1,0,1) to A(0.8,0.6,1)
along the shorter arc of the circle x2 + y2 = 1, z = 1.
dL dxa x dya y dza z Differential path, rectangular coordinate
A

W Q E dL
B
A

Q ( ya x xa y 2a z ) ( dxa x dya y dza z )

2

B
0.8

ydx 2

0.6

xdy 2 2dz
1

Circle equation: x 2 y 2 1

x 1 y2
y 1 x2
EMFT 4/7

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

The Line Integral

W 2

0.8

1 x dx 2
2

0.6

1 y dy 2 2dz
2

0.8

0.6

1
1
x

2 1 x 2 sin 1 x 2 1 y 2 sin 1 y
2
2
2
1
2
0
0.962 J
u

a2
u
a u du
a u sin 1
2
2
a
2

Example
Redo the example, but use the straight-line path from B to A.
y A yB
( x xB ) y 3 x 3
x A xB

Line equation: y yB

W 2

0.8

ydx 2

0.8

0.6

xdy 2 2dz
1

2 (3 x 3) dx 2
1

0.6

y
(1 ) dy 0
3

0.962 J
EMFT 4/8

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Work and Path Near an Infinite Line Charge

L
a
2 0
dL d a d a dza z
E E a

L
a 1d a
init 2
0 1
final
L
Q
d a a
init 2
0
0

W Q

final

EMFT 4/9

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Work and Path Near an Infinite Line Charge

L
a d a
init 2
0
b
L d
Q
a 2
0
QL b

ln
2 0 a

W Q

final

EMFT 4/10

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Differential Length
dL dxa x dya y dza z

Rectangular

dL d a d a dza z

Cylindrical

dL dra r rd a r sin d a

Spherical

Q1:

W Q

final

init

E dL

EMFT 4/11

Q2:

EMFT 4/12

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Definition of Potential Difference and Potential

We already find the expression for the work W done by an
external source in moving a charge Q from one point to another
in an electric field E:

W Q

final

init

E dL

Potential difference V is defined as the work done by an

external source in moving a unit positive charge from one point
to another in an electric field:

Potential difference V

final

init

E dL

We shall now set an agreement on the direction of movement.

VAB signifies the potential difference between points A and B
and is the work done in moving the unit charge from B (last
named) to A (first named).

EMFT 4/13

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Definition of Potential Difference and Potential

Potential difference is measured in joules per coulomb (J/C).
However, volt (V) is defined as a more common unit.
The potential difference between points A and B is:
A

VAB E dL V
B

VAB is positive if work is done in carrying

the unit positive charge from B to A

From the line-charge example, we found that the work done in

taking a charge Q from = a to = b was:
W

QL b
ln
2 0 a

Or, from = b to = a,
QL a
QL b
W
ln
ln
2 0 b
2 0 a

Thus, the potential difference between points at = a to

= b is:
Vab

W
b
L ln
Q 2 0 a

EMFT 4/14

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Definition of Potential Difference and Potential

For a point charge, we can find the potential difference
between points A and B at radial distance rA and rB, choosing
an origin at Q:
Q
E Er a r
a
2 r
4 0 r
dL dra r
A

VAB E dL
B

Q

dr
rB 4 r 2
0
Q 1 1

4 0 rA rB
rA

rB > rA VAB > 0, WAB > 0,

Work expended by the
external source (us)
rB < rA VAB < 0, WAB < 0,
Work done by the electric
field
EMFT 4/15

Chapter 4

Energy and Potential

Definition of Potential Difference and Potential

It is often convenient to speak of potential, or absolute
potential, of a point rather than the potential difference
between two points.
For this purpose, we must first specify the reference point
which we consider to have zero potential.
The most universal zero reference point is ground, which
means the potential of the surface region of the earth.
Another widely used reference point is infinity.
For cylindrical coordinate, in discussing a coaxial cable, the
outer conductor is selected as the zero reference for potential.
If the potential at point A is VA and that at B is VB, then:

VAB VA VB

EMFT 4/16