Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Division of Pangasinan II
Binalonan

SAN QUINTIN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

San Quintin, Pangasinan
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SY 2020-2021

GENERAL PHYSICS 2
Gauss’s Law and Electric Potential
QUARTER 3, WEEK 2
(12-STEM)

MELC:
1. Use Gauss’s law to infer electric field due to uniformly distributed charges on long
wires, spheres, and large plates (STEM_GP12EM-IIIb-13)
2. Solve problems involving electric charges, dipoles, forces, fields, and flux in contexts
such as, but not limited to, systems of point charges, electrical breakdown of air, charged
pendulums, electrostatic ink -jet printers (STEM_GP12EM-IIIb-14)
3. Relate the electric potential with work, potential energy, and electric field.
(STEM_GP12EM-IIIb-15)
4. Determine the electric potential function at any point due to highly symmetric
continuous-charge distributions (STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-17)
5. Infer the direction and strength of electric field vector, nature of the electric field
sources, and electrostatic potential surfaces given the equipotential lines Define the
work done by the electric force. (STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-18)
6. Calculate the electric field in the region given a mathematical function describing its
potential in a region of space (STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-20)
7. Solve problems involving electric potential energy and electric potentials
(STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-22)

Prepared by:

BEVERLY L. GARCIA
Subject Teacher

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Part I.
A. Introduction:
We just scratched the surface (or at least rubbed it) of electrical phenomena. In quarter 1, we introduced the
concepts of work and energy in the context of mechanics, this time we’ll combine this concept with what we have
learned about electric charge, electric force and electric field. Two terms commonly used to describe electricity are
energy and voltage. The energy and voltage are not the same thing.
This module is compose of two topics as follows:
Lesson 1 – Electric Flux and Gauss’s Law
Lesson 2 – Electric Potential And Electric Potential Energy

B. Discussion:
LESSON 1 – ELECTRIC FLUX AND GAUSS’S LAW
In presenting Gauss’ law, it will be necessary to introduce a new idea called electric flux. The idea of flux
involves both the electric field and the surface through which it passes. By bringing together the electric field and
the surface through which it passes, we will be able to define electric flux and then present Gauss’ law. Gauss’s law
is an alternative to Coulomb’s law and is completely equivalent to it.
You can think of the flux through some surface as a measure of the number of field lines which pass
through that surface. (The word “flux” comes from a Latin word meaning “flow.” Flux depends on the strength of
E, on the surface area, and on the relative orientation of the field and surface. The electric flux  can be
determined by multiplying the electric field, E, by
the area, A, of a surface perpendicular to the field.

=E.A

The electric flux also depends on orientation. The number of field lines through the tilted surface equals
the number through its projection. Hence, the flux through the tilted surface is simply given by the flux through its
projection: E (A cos Θ).
The sign of the Flux is defined as
1)The flux ispositivefor field lines that leave the enclosed volume of the surface.
2)The flux isnegativefor field lines that enter the enclosed volume of the surface.

 = E . A = E A cos 

To use Gauss’ law to relate flux and charge, we need a closed surface. In this topic, we
will learn the relationship between charge and electric field that allows us, in certain symmetric
situations, to find the electric field of an extended charged object with a few lines of algebra. This
relationship, was developed by German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–
1855). The law states that the total of the electric flux out of a closed surface is equal to the
magnitude of the charge enclosed divided by the permittivity of free space. This is always true.
Occasionally, it provides a very easy way to find the electric field for highly symmetric cases.
Mathematically as:
The total flux within … is proportional
a closed surface … to
the enclosed
  Qenclosed
  E  dA =
 0 * The epsilon-zero or permittivity of free
space is always equal to 8.85 x 10-12
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Example:
A point charge q = +3.0 mC is surrounded by an imaginary sphere of radius r = 0.20 m centered on the
charge . Find the resulting electric flux through the sphere.

Solution:

LESSON 2 – ELECTRIC POTENTIAL and ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

A Little Review on Work-Energy Theorem
Work is the process of moving an object by applying a force. You do work on an object when you move it.
When you do work on an object, you transfer energy from one object to another. The rate at which you do
work is your power output.
W =F ∆ r
Where:
W is the work done in Joules (N.m)
F is the force applied in Newtons
Δr is the objects’s displacement in meters

Energy is the ability or capacity to do work. Since Work is the process of moving an object, Energy is the
ability or capacity to move an object!
Energy can be transformed from one type to another. You can transfer energy from one object to another by
doing work.

WORK-ENERGY Theorem
- Work done on a system by an external force changes the energy of the system.
2
kg ⋅ m
- Units of energy are the same as the units of work , Joules, J 1 J =1 N ⋅ m=1 2
s
2 Types of Energy:
1. Potential Energy (U ) is an energy an object possesses due to its position or condition. Potential energy
exists within a system if the object in that system interact with conservative forces.
Ex. Gravitational Potential Energy Δ U g=mgh
2. Kinetic Energy is energy of motion – the ability or capacity of a moving object to move another object.
1 2
K= mv
2

Electric Field vs. Gravitational Field

Electric fields are similar to gravitational fields - both involve action-at-a-distance forces. When gravity
does work upon an object to move it from a high location to a lower location, the object's total amount of
mechanical energy is conserved. During the course of the falling motion, there was a loss of potential energy (and a
gain of kinetic energy). When gravity does work upon an object to move it in the direction of the gravitational

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field, then the object loses potential energy. On the other hand, energy would be required to move a massive object
against its gravitational field. Work must be done by an external force to move an object against nature.
Change in Electric Potential Energy

In the figure, a positive charge q0 is placed in the field. If the charge moves upward a distance r, the work
done by the electric force is negative W = - Fr = - q0 E r

In an electric field, a charge has potential energy relative to its position.

When a positive charge q is accelerated in an electric field, the charge has electric
potential energy (see Figure 2.1). It is like an object being accelerated in a
gravitational field, as if the charge were going down an electrical hill, although
the sources of the forces are very different.

Figure 2.1 Analogy of a charge accelerated by an electric field and a mass going
down a hill. Work is done by a force, but since this force is conservative, W= –
ΔU.

If the electric force is conservative, then the work done by this force on a
charged particle moving from point a to point a can be expressed in terms of the
electric potential energy U ,
a b
W ab=W a → b=∫ ⃑
F ∙ d ⃗l=∫ q o ⃑
E ∙ d ⃗l=−∆ U =U a −U b
b a

The work done is equal to the negative of the change in electric potential energy.
Whether the test charge is positive or negative, the following general rules apply:
1. U increases if a test charge moves in the direction opposite to the electric force acting on it.
2. U decreases if a test charge moves in the same direction as the electric force acting on it.

Electric Potential Energy of Point Charges

The electric potential energy for two point charges, q 1 and q0, separated by a distance r (see Figure 2.2) is
given as

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 Figure 2.2 Two Point Charges

The electric potential energy for a test charge q o in the electric field produced by a
collection of charges (see Figure 2.3) is given by

( )
q 0 n qi q 0 q1 q 2 q 3 qn
U= ∑ = + + +. ..+
4 πε 0 i r i 4 πε 0 r 1 r 2 r 3 rn

Figure 2.3 A Test Charge in a Collection of Charges

A more general equation to determine the total electric potential energy of the

Electric Potential

Electric Potential, V, is defined as the potential energy per unit charge. The electric potential energy is shown
by two elements, the charge possessed by the object itself and the position relative to an object with respect to
electrically charged objects. The magnitude of electric potential is dependent on the amount of work done in moving
the object from one point to another against the electric field.

When an object is moved against the electric field it gains amount of energy which is the electric potential
energy. In a given charge the electric potential energy is the total work done by an external agent in bringing
the system of charges from continuity to the present without any acceleration. It is obtained by dividing potential
energy to the quantity of charge. Electric potential energy is a scalar quantity. It is measured in terms of Joules.

U
V=
qo

Unit of Electric Potential: I Volt, V = 1 J/C

Given the sizes of each charge and the distance between them, the electric potential energy they have relative
to each other can be calculated. This is assuming the two charges can be treated as point charges, which are where all
the charge is concentrated at an exact point in space.

1. The potential of infinity is defined to be zero.

2. If a point charge is positive, the electric potential of the charge is positive. When moving a charge from infinity to
this point, the electric potential increases above a zero level.
3. If a point charge is negative, the electric potential of the charge negative. When moving a charge from infinity to
this point, the electric energy decreases below a zero level.

Moving along the direction of the electric field, ⃑

E , in both positive and negative point charges, the electric
potential V decreases. Otherwise, the potential V increases (see Figure 2.4).

Figure 2.4 Electric Field and Electric

Potential of a (A) Positive Charge (B)
Negative Charge 4
Equations for Calculating Electric Potential

Working Equation Description

for single point charge

for several point charges

for continuous charge distribution

linear charge distribution

surface charge distribution

volume charge distribution

The potential difference between two points can be expressed as a line integral given by

Electron Volt

One electron volt (1 eV) is the kinetic energy gained by an electron moving through a potential difference of
one volt (1 V).
1 eV = 1.602 x 10 -19 J

Equipotential Line

An equipotential is a line surface over which the electric potential (V) is constant at every point. Electric field
lines are perpendicular to equipotentials.

Figure 2.5

Equipotential Surface

An equipotential surface is one on which all points are at the same potential. The potential difference between
any two points on an equipotential surface is zero; there is no work done to move a charge between two points.
Characteristics of Equipotential Surfaces:
1. No work is done to move a charge between two points on the same equipotential surface.
2. Electric filed lines are perpendicular to equipotential surface.
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 3. The surface of a conductor is an equipotential surface.

C. Readings:
Equipotential Lines and the Electric Field as a Potential Gradient

Topographic maps show you lines of equal altitude or equal gravitational potential.
Lines connecting points of equal electrical potential are known as equipotential
lines.
- Equipotential lines always cross electrical field lines at right angles. The
electric field is always perpendicular to the equipotential surface.
- If you move a charged particle in space and stay on an equipotential line, no
work will be done
- As equipotential lines get closer together, the gradient of the potential
Figure 3a
increases (steeper “slope” of potentials).
- The electric field points in the direction of decreasing electric potential.

So let’s say you had a positive charge. The electric field lines move AWAY from the
charge. The equipotential lines are perpendicular to the electric field lines and thus
make concentric circles around the charge. As you move AWAY from a positive
charge the potential decreases. So V1>V2>V3.

D. Problem Examples: Figure 3b

Electric Potential
1. Two point charges q1=-e and q2=+e are located on the x-axis at x=0 and x=a respectively.
a) Find the work that must be done in bringing a third charge q3=+e from infinity to x=2a
b) Find the total potential energy of these three point charges.
Solution:

a.
W ab=−ΔU =U a −U b (The initial potential energy, U a , is zero at infinity)

W ab=0−U b =−
[( )(
+e −e e
+ =
4 πε 0 2 a a )]
−e2 −ke 2
=
8 πε 0 a 2 a

( ) ( )
1 qi q j 1 q1 q2 q1 q 3 q2 q3 1 (−e )(e ) (−e )( e ) (e )(e )
U=
4 πε 0
∑ = + +
r ij 4 πε 0 r 12 r 13 r 23
=
4 πε 0 a
+
2a
+
a
b.

−e2 −ke 2
U= =
8 πε 0 a 2 a

2. In the figure shown, assume that r 12=r 13=r 23=12 cm, and that q1=+q, q2=-4q and q3=+2q where q=150nC.
What is the potential energy of the system?
Solution:

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 U =k ∑
qi q j
r ij
=k
[ q1 q 2 q1 q 3 q2 q 3
+ +
r 12 r 13 r 23 ]
where q1=+q=+150nC
q2=-4q=-4(150nC)=-600nC
q3=+2q=+2(150nC)=300nC

−9 −9 −9 −9 −9 −9
Nm 2 (150x 10 C )(−600 x10 C ) (150 x 10 C )(300 x10 C ) (−600 x10 C )(300 x10 C )
U =9 x109 [ + + ]
C2 0.12m 0.12m 0.12m U =−0 .017 J

3. A proton (+q = +1.602 x 10 -19C) moves along a straight line from point a to point b with a separation distance d =
0.50m. Considering the electric field along this line is uniform with magnitude of 1.50 x 10 7V/m and directed
from point a to point b. Determine:
a) the force on the proton
b) the work done on it by the field (in Joules & eV units)
c) the potential difference (Vab)
Solution:

a) Since the charge is positive, then the electric force is in the same direction of the electric field. Its magnitude
is
V
F=qE=(1 . 602 x 10−19 C )(1 .50 x 107 )=2 . 4 x10−12 N
m
b) The force is constant since the electric field is uniform along the proton’s displacement. Hence, the work done
by the field is

Converting this value in eV,

c) From the work done expression, the potential difference (Vab) is then

4. Electron in TV tube. Suppose an electron in the picture tube of a television set is accelerated from rest through a
potential difference Vba = +5000V. What is the change in potential energy of the electron?
(e = -1.602 x 10-19 C)

Solution:

The negative sign indicates that the potential energy decreases.

5. Potential due to charged disk. A thin flat disk of radius R carries a uniformly distributed charge Q. Determine the
potential at a point P on the axis of the disk, a distance x from its center. (Adisk = R2).

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 Solution:
The potential (V) for charge distribution is:

from surface charge density, σ:

Therefore,

The potential, V, is then equal to:

(V due to a charged disk)

Part II. ACTIVITY PROPER

Activity 1
A. Finding You
Directions Discover the words which relate to electric potential energy.

B. True or False?
1. The voltage like the electric field is a vector quantity.
2. Units of energy is the same as the units of work.
3. When a charged object is moved against an electric field by applying force to some distance, work is
done to give that object gravitational potential energy.
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 4. The unit for electrical potential difference is 1 J/C
5. If you move a charged particle in space, and stay on an equipotential line, no work will be done.

Activity 2. Problem Solving.

Answer the following questions. Write your solution and answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. How much work is required to move a charge of 4 nC from a point 2m away to a point 0.5 m away from a point
charge of 60 nC? What is the potential difference between these points?
2. A point charge q₁=4.00 nC is placed at the origin, and a second point charge q₂=-3.00 nC is placed on the x-axis
at x=+20.0 cm. A third point charge q₃=2.00 nC is to be placed on the x-axis between q₁ and q₂. Let the potential
energy of the three charges be zero when they are infinitely far apart.
a) what is the potential energy of the system of the three charges if q₃ is placed at x=+10.0 cm?
b) where should q₃ be placed to make the potential energy of the system equal to zero?
3. A solid conducting sphere of radius 30 cm has a charge of 4 µC. If the potential is zero at infinity. Find the value
of the potential at the following distances from the center of the sphere:
a) 45 cm b) 30 cm c) 15 cm

KEY TO CORRECTIONS:

Activity 1A Across Down

POTENTIAL WORK
JOULE ENERGY
VOLT

Activity 1B
1) F
2) T
3) F
4) T
5) T

Activity 2.
1) 3240nJ; 810 V
2a) -3.60x10-7J b) 0.075 m or 0.358 m
3a) 80,000 V b) 120,000 V c) 120,000 V

Part III.
A. SUMMATIVE EVALUATION:
Directions. Answer the question that follows. Choose the best answer from the given choices.
1. Of the following quantities, the one that is not a scalar in character is _____.
A. charge B. electric field C. energy D. potential difference

2. A system of two charges has a negative potential energy. This signifies that _____.
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 A. both charges are positive C. both charges are positive or both are negative
B. both charges are negative D. one charge is positive & the other is negative

3. An electron & a proton are accelerated through the same potential difference
A. the electron has lower KE C. the electron has lower speed
B. the proton has lower KE D. the proton has lower speed.
4. The electric potential energy due to several point charges is given by the equation: U = k Σ qi / r2i. The r
indicates:
A.the distance from the point charge to the point at which the potential energy is evaluated.
B. the radius of the two pair of charges.
C. the radius from the center of the charge
D. none of the above

5. Which of the following statements are TRUE?

I. When a positive charge moves in the direction of an electric field, the potential energy decreases and the field
does positive work
II. When a positive charge moves in the direction of an electric field, the potential energy increases and the field
does negative work
III. When a negative charge moves in the direction of an electric field, the potential energy increases and the field
does negative work
IV. When a negative charge moves in the direction of an electric field, the potential energy decreases and the field
does positive work
A. I&IV C. II&III
B. I &III D. II&IV

6. In terms of energy unit, which does not belong?

A. eV B. J C. Nm D. V

7. How is the direction of the electric field lines related to the equipotential surface?
A. parallel C. depends on the sign of the charge
B. perpendicular D. undetermined

8. When moving from infinity to towards a negative point charge, the electric potential.
A. Increases B. decreases C. remains the same D. undetermined

9. A point charge q = 2.00μC is located at the origin. Find the electric potential due to this charge at point x = 4.0 m.
A. 1500 V B. 2500 V C. 3500 V D. 4500 V

10. Two point charges are arranged along the x-axis; q1=2.0 µC is at x=0.80m, and q2=2.0 µC at x=0.80m . The net
electrical potential measured at the origin due to these point charges is
A. zero C. 4500V
B. 22500V D. 45kV

B. Searching Time
Instructions: Explore online the answers of the following questions associated with electric potential applications.

A Van de Graff Generator is a laboratory device with a large hollow metal sphere
supported by a cylindrical insulating stand. It is for building up high voltages.
Why does your hair stand out when you are charged by such device?

Scoring Rubric:

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Rubric:
Content: 2
Organization of thoughts: 2
Mechanics: 1
5 points

A girl using a Van de Graaff generator.

Image: American Museum of Science and
Energy

C. Instructions: Solve the following in a clean sheet of paper. Show your solution and box your final
answer.
1. How much electrical potential energy is required to move a 4.0 microcoulomb charge through a potential
difference of 36 volts?
2. A proton is moved through a potential difference of 10 volts in an electric field. How much work in electronvolts
was required to move this charge?
B
3. Refer to the figure on the right where Q1=+2.0µC, Q2 = -3.0µC.
a. What is the electric potential at point A? 0.0800m
0.0600m
b. What is the electric potential at point B?
A
c. What is the potential difference VA-VB?
Q1 + - Q2
0.0500m 0.0500m

4. Find the electric potential at the origin due to the three

charges shown in the diagram. If an electron is placed at the
origin, what electric potential energy does it possess?

REFERENCES:
Suarez, V., et al, Workbook in Electromagnetism 8th Edition (Mindanao University of Science and Technology,
Cagayan de Oro City, 2015)
Young, H.D. and Freedman R. A., University Physics with Modern Physics 10th edition pp. 731-761 (Pearson
Education Asia Pte Ltd, 2002)
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/7-1-electric-potential-energy
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/7-5-equipotential-surfaces-and-conductors
Fullerton Dan, AP Physics B, www.educator.com

Checked by:

BEVERLY L. GARCIA DAPHNE M. MAGNO JUNELYN J. SAPITULA

Checking Committee Chairman Checking Committee Member Checking Committee Member
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Grade12-Curriculum Chairman Grade 12 Adviser Grade11-Curriculum Chairman

Recommending Approval: Approved:

DOMINGO T. DISMAYA II, EdD EMELDA T. HERNANDEZ

SHS Assistant Principal II Principal III

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