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9Electrostatic Potential

The document discusses the relationship between electric fields and electrostatic potential, defining the electric field due to a volume charge density and expressing it in terms of the potential V. It highlights that the electric field E is the negative gradient of the potential V, indicating that E points in the direction of maximum decrease of V. Additionally, it emphasizes that potential differences are meaningful, and the electrostatic field is conservative and irrotational.

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Eslam Nasr
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2 views3 pages

9Electrostatic Potential

The document discusses the relationship between electric fields and electrostatic potential, defining the electric field due to a volume charge density and expressing it in terms of the potential V. It highlights that the electric field E is the negative gradient of the potential V, indicating that E points in the direction of maximum decrease of V. Additionally, it emphasizes that potential differences are meaningful, and the electrostatic field is conservative and irrotational.

Uploaded by

Eslam Nasr
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL

The electric field due to a volume charge of density ρ v (C / m ) is:


3

1 ρv ( r − r ')
E=
4πε 0 ∫
v r −r '
3
dv '

r −r ' ⎛ 1 ⎞
= −∇ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
Since r −r ' ⎝ r −r ' ⎠
We can substitute this in the Coulomb’s Law integral equation. Then,

1 ⎡ ⎡ 1 ⎤⎤
4πε 0 ∫v
E= ρv ⎢ −∇ ⎢ 3⎥
⎥dv '
⎢⎣ ⎢⎣ r − r ' ⎥⎦ ⎥⎦

Since ∇ operates only on (x,y,z) but the integral is w. r. t. (x’,y’,z’) , it can


be taken out of the integral sign.

⎡ 1 ⎡ ρ ⎤ ⎤
E = −∇ ⎢ ∫
⎢⎣ 4πε 0 v
⎢ v
3⎥
dv '⎥
⎢⎣ r − r ' ⎥⎦ ⎥⎦

Now we define,
1 ⎡ ρ ⎤
4πε 0 ∫v
V= ⎢ v
3⎥
dv '
⎢⎣ r − r ' ⎥⎦

Electrostatic potential (Volts), and

E = −∇V
Since ∇V is a vector along which V increases with the maximum rate,
because of (-) sign, E is in the direction where V decreases with the
maximum rate. This can easily be seen for a positive charge,

q
E= aˆr
4πε 0 r 2

And
q
V=
4πε 0 r
E is in the + aˆr direction (radially outward). In this direction V decreases
most rapidly.

Notice that we can not define a unique potential V. Any vale can always be
added to it without changing the value of E . Therefore the meaningful
concept is the potential difference.

The potential difference between two points P1 and P2 :

P2 P2 P2

∫ E .dl = ∫ −∇V .dl


P1 P1
= − ∫ dV = − (V ( P2 ) − V ( P1 ))
P1

= V ( P1 ) − V ( P2 )
We see that the exact shape of the path joining P1 and P2 is immaterial,
only the distances from P1 and P2 to the source matter.

If no reference is given, V is taken w. r. t. ∞,


r
Vr = ∫ E.d l
∞
The potential difference is related to the work done in carrying a point
charge from one point to another point as:

2 P
W
q P∫1
= E .dl ( J / C ) (V )

Since,

E = −∇V
We can write,
∇XE = 0
∇X ( −∇V ) = 0

And

∫ ∇XE.ds = v∫ E.dl
s c

E = −∇V , ∇XE = 0, v∫ E.dl = 0


c
Then the electrostatic field is a conservative (irrotational) field.

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