Electric Potential

A PowerPoint Presentation by
Paul E. Tippens, Professor of Physics
Southern Polytechnic State University
2007
Objectives: After completing this
module, you should be able to:
Understand an 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
Work is defined as the product of displacement d
and a parallel applied force F.
Work = Fd; Units: 1 J = 1 N m
Potential Energy U is defined as the ability to do work
by virtue of position or condition. (Joules)
Kinetic Energy K is defined as the ability to do work
by virtue of motion (velocity). (Also in joules)
Signs for Work and Energy
Work (Fd) is positive if an applied force F is
in the same direction as the displacement d.
A
B
m
F
mg
d
The force F does positive work.
The force mg does negative work.
The P.E. at B relative to A is
positive because the field can do
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.
A
B
h m
F
Work = Fh = mgh
At level B, the potential energy U is:
U = mgh (gravitational)
The external force does positive work;
the gravity g does negative work.
The external force F against the g-field increases the
potential energy. If released the field gives work back.
g
mg
Electrical Work and Energy
An external force F moves +q from
A to B against the field force qE.
Work = Fd = (qE)d
At level B, the potential energy U is:
U = qEd (Electrical)
The E-field does negative work;
External force does positive work.
The external force F against the E-field increases the
potential energy. If released the field gives work back.
B
+ + + +
- - - - A
+
+q
d
qE
E
F
e

Work and Negative Charges
Suppose a negative charge q is
moved against E from A to B.
Work by E = qEd
At A, the potential energy U is:
U = qEd (Electrical)
No external force is required !
B
+ + + +
- - - - A
E
d
qE
-q
The E-field does positive work on q decreasing the
potential energy. If released from B nothing happens.
Work to Move a Charge
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Q

qE
F
+
Work to move
+q from A to B.
- -
A B
r
a

r
b

2
a
a
kqQ
F
r
=
avg
a b
kqQ
F
r r
=
At A:
At B:
Avg. Force:
2
b
b
kqQ
F
r
=
Distance: r
a
- r
b

( )
a b
a b
kQq
Work Fd r r
r r
= =
1 1
b a
Work kQq
r r
| |
=
|
\ .
Absolute Potential Energy
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Q

qE
F
+
- -
A B
r
a

r
b

1 1
b a
Work kQq
r r
| |
=
|
\ .
Absolute P.E. is
relative to .
It is work to bring
+q from infinity to
point near Qi.e.,
from to r
b

1 1
b b
kQq
Work kQq
r r
| |
= =
|

\ .
Absolute Potential
Energy:
kQq
U
r
=
0
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?
+6 C
+Q
-
A
+2 nC
kQq
U
r
=
Potential
Energy:
2
2
9 -6 -9
Nm
C
(9 x 10 )( 6 x 10 C)(+2 x 10 C)
(0.08 m)
U
+
=
The P.E. will be positive at
point A, because the field can
do + work if q is released.
U = 1.35 mJ
Positive potential energy
8 cm
Signs for Potential Energy
+6 C
+Q
-
A
8 cm
-
-
B
C
12 cm
4 cm
Consider Points A, B, and C.
For +2 nC at A: U = +1.35 mJ
If +2 nC moves from A to B,
does field E do + or work?
Does P.E. increase or decrease?
Questions:
+2 nC
Moving
positive q
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 A to B?
kQq
U
r
=
Potential
Energy:
2
2
9 -6 -9
Nm
C
(9 x 19 )( 6 x 10 C)(+2 x 10 C)
0.900 mJ
(0.12 m)
B
U
+
= =
AU = -0.450 mJ
Note that P.E. has decreased as work is done by E.
+6 C
+Q
-
A
8 cm
-
B
12 cm
From Ex-1: U
A
= + 1.35 mJ
AU = U
B
U
A
= 0.9 mJ 1.35 mJ
Moving a Negative Charge
Consider Points A, B, and C.
Suppose a negative -q is moved.
If -q moves from A to B, does
field E do + or work? Does
P.E. increase or decrease?
Questions:
+6 C
+Q
-
A
8 cm
-
-
B
C
12 cm
4 cm
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 . . .
Moving
negative q
-
Example 3. What is the change in potential
energy if a -2 nC charge moves from A to B?
kQq
U
r
=
Potential
Energy:
2
2
9 -6 -9
Nm
C
(9 x 19 )(6 x 10 C)(-2 x 10 C)
0.900 mJ
(0.12 m)
B
U = =
+6 C
+Q
-
A
8 cm
-
B
12 cm
From Ex-1: U
A
= -1.35 mJ
(Negative due to charge)
U
B
U
A
= -0.9 mJ (-1.35 mJ)
AU = +0.450 mJ
A charge moved away from a + charge gains P.E.
Properties of Space
E
Electric Field
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Q
.
r
An electric field is a property of
space allowing prediction of the
force on a charge at that point.
;
F
E F qE
q
= =
The field E exist independently of
the charge q and is found from:
2
:
kQ
Electric Field E
r
=
E is a Vector
Electric Potential
Potential
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Q
.
r
Electric potential is another property
of space allowing us to predict the
P.E. of any charge q at a point.
U
V
q
=
;
U
V U qV
q
= =
Electric
Potential:
The units are: joules per coulomb (J/C)
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
-9
C)(400 J/C);
U = -800 nJ
P
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).
1 joule
; 1 volt =
1 coulomb
U
V
q
| |
=
|
\ .
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
Potential
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Q
.
r
kQ
V
r
=
P
Electric Potential Energy and Potential:
;
kQq U
U V
r q
= =
( )
kQq
r kQ
V
q r
= =
Substituting for
U, we find V:
kQ
V
r
=
The potential due to a positive charge is
positive; The potential due to a negative
charge is positive. (Use sign of charge.)
Example 4: Find the potential at a distance
of 6 cm from a 5 nC charge.
Q = -5 nC
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Q
.
r
P
6 cm
( )
2
2
9 -9
Nm
C
9 x 10 ( 5 x 10 C)
(0.06 m)
kQ
V
r

= =
V
P
= -750 V
Negative V at
Point P :
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.
q = 4 C
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.
+
-
-
Q
1

Q
2

Q
3

-
A
r
1

r
3

r
2

3 1 2
1 2 3
A
kQ kQ kQ
V
r r r
= + +
kQ
V
r
=

Potential is + or based on sign of the charges Q.

Example 5: Two charges Q
1
= +3 nC and
Q
2
= -5 nC are separated by 8 cm. Calculate
the electric potential at point A.
+
-
Q
2
= -5 nC
-
Q
1

+3 nC
-
6 cm
2 cm
2 cm
A
B
1 2
1 2
A
kQ kQ
V
r r
= +
( )
2
2
9 -9
Nm
C
1
1
9 x 10 ( 3 x 10 C)
450 V
(0.06 m)
kQ
r
+
= = +
( )
2
2
9 -9
Nm
C
2
2
9 x 10 ( 5 x 10 C)
2250 V
(0.02 m)
kQ
r

= =
V
A
= 450 V 2250 V;
V
A
= -1800 V
Example 5 (Cont.): Calculate the electric potential
at point B for same charges.
+
-
Q
2
= -5 nC
-
Q
1

+3 nC
-
6 cm
2 cm
2 cm
A
B
1 2
1 2
B
kQ kQ
V
r r
= +
( )
2
2
9 -9
Nm
C
1
1
9 x 10 ( 3 x 10 C)
1350 V
(0.02 m)
kQ
r
+
= = +
( )
2
2
9 -9
Nm
C
2
2
9 x 10 ( 5 x 10 C)
450 V
(0.10 m)
kQ
r

= =
V
B
= 1350 V 450 V; V
B
= +900 V
Example 5 (Cont.): Discuss meaning of the potentials
just found for points A and B.
+
-
Q
2
= -5 nC
-
Q
1

+3 nC
-
6 cm
2 cm
2 cm
A
B
V
A
= -1800 V
For every coulomb of positive charge
placed at point A, the potential energy
will be 1800 J. (Negative P.E.)
The field holds on to this positive
charge. An external force must do
+1800 J of work to remove each
coulomb of + charge to infinity.
Consider Point A:
Example 5 (Cont.): Discuss meaning of the potentials
just found for points A and B.
+
-
Q
2
= -5 nC
-
Q
1

+3 nC
-
6 cm
2 cm
2 cm
A
B
V
B
= +900 V
For every coulomb of positive charge
placed at point B, the potential energy
will be +900 J. (Positive P.E.)
Consider Point B:
For every coulomb of positive charge,
the field E will do 900 J of positive
work in removing it to infinity.
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: V
AB
= V
A
- V
B

Work
AB
= q(V
A
V
B
) 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?
V
B
= +900 V V
A
= -1800 V
V
AB
= V
A
V
B
= -1800 V 900 V
V
AB
= -2700 V
Note point B is at
higher potential.
Work
AB
= q(V
A
V
B
) = (2 x 10
-6
C )(-2700 V)
Work = -5.40 mJ
Thus, an external force was required to move the charge.
+
-
-5 nC
-
Q
1

+3 nC
-
6 cm
2 cm
2 cm
A
B
Q
2

E-field does negative work.
Example 6 (Cont.): Now suppose the +2 C charge
is moved from back from B to A?
V
B
= +900 V V
A
= -1800 V
V
BA
= V
B
V
A
= 900 V (-1800 V)
V
BA
= +2700 V
This path is from
high to low potential.
Work
BA
= q(V
B
V
A
) = (2 x 10
-6
C )(+2700 V)
Work = +5.40 mJ
The work is done BY the E-field this time !
+
-
-5 nC
-
Q
1

+3 nC
-
6 cm
2 cm
2 cm
A
B
Q
2

E-field does positive work.
Parallel Plates
V
A

+ + + +
- - - -
V
B

E +q
F = qE
Consider Two parallel plates of equal
and opposite charge, a distance d apart.
Constant E field: F = qE
Work = Fd

= (qE)d
Also, Work = q(V
A
V
B
)
So that: qV
AB
= qEd and
V
AB
= 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 800 V. If their separ-
ation is 3 mm, what is the field E?
V
A

+ + + +
- - - -
V
B

E +q
F = qE
;
V
V Ed E
d
= =
80 V
26, 700 V/m
0.003 m
E = =
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.
Summary of Formulas
;
kQq U
U V
r q
= =
kQ
V
r
=

Work
AB
= q(V
A
V
B
) Work BY E-field
;
V
V Ed E
d
= =
Electric Potential
Energy and Potential
Electric Potential Near
Multiple charges:
Oppositely Charged
Parallel Plates:
CONCLUSION: Chapter 25
Electric Potential