ELECTRIC POTENTIAL −9

b. ∆ U =−W =−7.5 x 10 J
c. Using the work-energy theorem
Electric Potential Energy in a Uniform Electric
Field W =K−K 0
1 2 1 2
 When a particle moves from point A to point W = m v − m v0
B,
2 2
Since v 0=0 (assuming that the charge
W A → B=−∆U =−( U B−U A ) =U A −U B
started from rest),
where W A → B is the work done from A to B,
1 2
U A is the potential energy at point A, and W= mv
2
U B is the potential energy at point B. 1
7.5 x 10 J = ( 4.0 x 10 kg ) v
−9 −3 2
F=q 0 E 2
W =Fd=q0 Ed=U A −U B v=1.9 x 10−3 m/s
 Note that if the test charge moves in the
direction of the electric field, its potential Electric Potential and Potential Difference
energy decreases. On the other hand, if it
moves against the direction of the electric  The electric potential (also called
field, the potential energy increases. electrostatic potential or simply potential) at
any point in the electric field E is electric
 Using the work-energy theorem, W =∆ K .
potential energy per unit charge at that point.
Therefore,
Electric potential is designated as V.
U A −U B=∆ K U
U A −U B=K B−K A V=
q0
Rearranging terms,  Electric potential is a scalar quantity. Its SI
K A +U A=K B +U B unit is the volt named after Alessandro Volta
Thus, conservation of mechanical energy who devised one of the first electric cells.
also applies. Note that 1 V is equal to 1 joule/coulomb
(J/C).
Sample Problem  Considering point A at infinity or ground
(zero potential energy), potential is also
A point charge of 3.0 nC with a mass of 4.0 g defined as the work done to move a unit
is moved x=1.0 m ¿ x =1.5 m in an electric field of charge from infinity to an arbitrary point B.
5.0 N/C with the same direction as the motion of the On the other hand, if point A is neither the
charge. (a) How much work is done on the charge by ground nor infinity, then the work done by the
the electric force? (b) What is the change in potential electric force in moving a unit positive test
energy of the charge? (c) Assuming that the charge charge from point A to point B is called the
started from rest, what is its speed at x=1.5 m? potential difference between points A and B.
The potential difference between A and B,
Given: q=3.0 nC=3.0 x 10−9 C designated as V AB , is determined by
−3 subtracting the potential at point A from the
m=4.0 g=4.0 x 10 kg potential at point B.
E=5.0 N /C
d=1.5 m−1.0 m=0.5 m V AB=
W A → B −∆ U
q0
=
q0
=−
UB U A
−
q0 q0 ( )
=−( V B −V A ) =V

Solution: where V A and V B are electric potentials at

a. W =Fd points A and B, respectively. Note that the

( )
N work done is not dependent on the path
W =qEd=( 3.0 x 10 C ) 5.0 −9
( 0.5 m ) taken in getting from point A to point B.
C
−9 −9 Sample Problem
¿ 7.5 x 10 N ∙ m=7.5 x 10 J
 A charge of 6.0 x 10−7 C is transferred from distance
infinity to point B. If the work done by the electric force r B of point A from charge = 5.00 m
to do this is of 1.2 x 10−5 J , what is the potential at
point B? Solution:
a.
−7
Given: q 0=6.0 x 10 C 9 m
2
−9
−5
(9 x 10 N ∙ 2
)(−6.00 x 10 C)
W ∞ →B =1.2 x 10 J kq C
V A= = =−18.0 V
rA 3.00 m
Solution: 2
9 m −9
(9 x 10 N ∙ 2
)(−6.00 x 10 C )
W ∞→B kq C
=V ∞ −V B V B= = =−10.8V
q0 rB 5.00 m
W
−5 b. =V A −V B
1.2 x 10 J q
−7
=0−V B
6.0 x 10 C W =q ( V A −V B )=( 2.00 x 10−9 C ) [ (−18.0 V ) −(−10.8V
V B=−20 V  If there are several charges, the potential at
point a point due to these charges is simply
Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference the algebraic sum of the potential due to
each charge. The potential V at point P due
 The electric potential at a point is a scalar
to charges
quantity. It could be negative, positive, or,
zero, depending on the sign of the charge. At q 1 , q 2 ,∧q3 , with distances r 1 , r 2 ,∧r 3 ,
a point near a positive charge, the potential respectively, from point P is
is positive; near a negative charge, it is V =V 1+V 2+V 3
negative. The electric potential at a point due
to a charged particle is given by
k q1 k q2 k q 3
¿ + +
U q0 Ed r1 r2 r3
V= = =Ed  For a continuous charge distribution along a
q0 q0
line, surface area, or through a volume, the
potential may be computed by determining
kqr kq the potential due to each element, and
V= =
r
2
r summing them (integrate) over all the
contributions.
where k is the Coulomb’s constant, q is the ❑
dq
charge of the particle (including the sign), V =k ∫
and r is the distance of the point from the ❑ r
charge. It shows that the electric field may Equipotential Surfaces and Field Lines
also be expressed in volt/meter, thus,  An equipotential surface is a three-
1 N/C = 1 V/m dimensional surface on which the potential is
Sample Problem the same at every point on that space. Since
A point charge of −6.0 x 10−9 C is 3.00 m the potential energy does not change as a
charge is moved over an equipotential
from point A and 5.00 m from point. (a) Find the
surface, the electric field cannot do work on
potential at point A and point B. (b) How much work is
charge.
done by the electric field in moving a 2.00 nC particle
from point a to point B?

Given: q=−6.0 x 10−9 C distance

r A of point A from charge = 3.00 m
  The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F)
Sample Problem named after Michael Faraday. Note that 1
A conducting sphere of radius 3.25 cm has a farad is equal to 1 coulomb per volt.
total charge of 4.50 x 10−9 C distributed uniformly  The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor
is affected by the following factors:
on its surface area. Find the potential at (a) its
a. The area of plates.
surface, (b) any point inside the sphere, and (c) a
b. The distance between the plates.
distance of 5.0 cm from the center of the sphere.
c. The insulating material or dielectric
−2 between them.
R=3.25 cm=3.25 x 10 m
Given:
 The dependence of the capacitance of a
−9
q=4.50 x 10 C parallel plate capacitor on the factors cited
above is mathematically expressed as
Solution: A
C=ϵ
a. At the surface, d

( )[ ]
2 −9
q 9 m 4.50 x 10 C where A is the area of the plate, d is the
V =k = 9 x 10 N ∙ 2 −2
=1246 V distance between the plates, and ϵ is the
R C 3.25 x 10 m
permittivity of the insulating material or
b. At any point inside the sphere, the electric
dielectric.
field is zero because it is a conductor. This
 The relative permittivity or dielectric constant
means that no work is done on a test charge
as it moves from any point to another point ϵ R is the ratio of the permittivity ϵ of the
inside the sphere. Every point inside the dielectric to the permittivity ϵ 0 of vacuum or
sphere up to the surface is at equal potential air.
(1246 V).
ϵ
ϵ R=
c.
ϵ0

)[ ]
Note that ϵ R has no unit. Also, the relative

(
❑ 2 −9 
dq kq m 4.50 x 10 C
V =k ∫
9
= = 9 x 10 N ∙ 2 −2
=810 V permittivity is greater than or equal to one.
❑ r r C 5.0 x 10 m

CAPACITORS
 Capacitors are simple passive device that
can store an electrical charge on their plates
when connected to a voltage source.
 A capacitor is created out of two metal plates
and an insulating material called a
dielectric. The metal plates are placed very
close to each other, in parallel, but the
dielectric sits between them to make sure
they don't touch.

Capacitance

 Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to

store charges. The capacitance C of a
capacitor is mathematically defined as the
ratio of the amount of charge q in one plate
to the potential difference V between the
plates. In symbols,
q
C=
V
  There is a limit to the potential difference
 Note that (capacitance with air or between the plates of the capacitor. When
the maximum potential difference is
vacuum as the dielectric). Therefore, exceeded, the dielectric becomes a
C=ϵ R C 0 conductor, allowing the flow of charges.
 Inserting dielectric other than air or vacuum These moving charges form sparks or
increases the capacitance to an amount discharge. This condition is known as
equal to ϵ R times to its original value. dielectric breakdown. Lightning is an
example of a dielectric breakdown.

Sample Problem

A capacitor consists of two square metal

plates, each measuring 5.00 x 10−2 m on a side. In
between the plates is a sheet of mica measuring
−4
1.00 x 10 m thick. (a) What is the capacitance of
this capacitor? If the charge in one plate is
−8
2.00 x 10 C, what is the (b) potential difference
and (c) electric field between the plates?

Given: side of the square plate = 5.00 x 10−2 m

−4 −8
d=1.00 x 10 m q=2.00 x 10 C

a. The permittivity of mica is

−11 2 2
4.8 x 10 C /N ∙ m
A
C=ϵ =ϵ ¿ ¿
d
b.

q
C=
V
−8
q 2.00 x 10 C
V= = =16.7 V
C 1.2 x 10−9 F
c.
V 16.7 V 5
E= = =16.7 x 10 V /m
d 1.00 x 10 m
−4

Combination of Capacitors

 Capacitors may be connected in series or in

parallel.
  In summary, the following relationships apply
for capacitors in series.
a. Charge:
q total=q 1=q 2=q3 =…=qn
b. Potential difference:
V total=V 1 +V 2 +V 3 +…+ V n
c. Capacitance:
q total q 1 q2 q3 qn
= + + +…+
Ctotal C1 C 2 C3 Cn
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +…+
Ctotal C1 C 2 C3 Cn
 In summary, the following relationships apply
for capacitors in parallel.
a. Charge:
q total=q 1+ q2 +q 3+ …+q n
b. Potential difference:
V total=V 1 =V 2=V 3=…=V n
c. Capacitance:
C total V total=C 1 V 1+C 2 V 2+C 3 V 3+ …+C n V n
C total =C 1+C 2 +C3 +…+ Cn

Sample Problem