Lab: Electric Potential

PROBLEM 2: REVIEW OF WORK

W =F . d=(Fcosθ) d
Where force F is applied at angle θ to the displacement d and work W is said to be done.

PROBLEM 3: WORK AND ELECTRIC FIELD

The direction of electric field Is presented in following fique marked by red arrows;

2)

The work done by electric field is positive as the electric charge is directed in dame direction as electric field.
Displacement and force are parallel.

W x →w >0

Comparing the work done by electric field from moving charge from w to x is equal in magnitude but opposite in
direction to work done from moving charge from x to w in electric field.

W x →w =−W w → x

3)

Net work done W net =0 as ⃗

W x →w +W w→ rod =−[W rod → y +W y → z ]

Work from x to z is unchanged and independent of path.

Work done by the electric field when particle travels from point W to point X is equal to
work done from point W to point Z as work done from X to Z is zero.

W w→ x =W w → z
 As W x → z=0

PROBLEM 4: WORK AND POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

The distance points x B , xC ∧x D from point 1 is same so it can be concluded that the potential all these points
will be equal. From above relation we can relate that, as the potential difference between points is equal, work
done will also be equal.
So, work to move charge q o from point x A to x B , xC ∨x D will be equal.

4.2 Suppose the charge q0 is moved slowly by an external agent (e.g. a hand) along a straight path from rest at x A
to rest at xB.

A) Consider the force exerted by the external agent to move the charge. (Assume that the acceleration of the
charge is near zero at all times.) Is the work done by this force positive, negative, or zero? Explain. (Hint:
Recall the work energy theorem.)

In case of electric force as work is done against force is negative. In case of external force, the work done is by the
agent, so the work done will be positive as displacement is done in direction of force.

B) Compare the sign and magnitude of the work done by the electric force to the sign and magnitude of the
work done by the external force. Explain.
Work done by Electric field is given as;

W E=F E .d

Where F E is electric force given asq o E . d is distance between 1 ve∧x A

10−9
∗q
4 πϵ o
W E=F E .d = ∗3=1.33 qo
4.52
Work by Electric Field = Negative

Work by External Force = Positive

C) Write an expression that describes the work done by the electric field of the point charge on the charge q 0 as it
moves from rest at xA to rest at xB. Explain.
Work done by a charge q o to move from Point A to B is given as ;

¿ [ ( V A −V B ) q0 ]

Where V A ∧V B are potentials at points A and B.

D) We define the electric potential difference, ΔV as the negative of the work done by the electric field divided by
the charge, qo. Write the formula for the ΔV below.
W
ΔV =V B −V A =
qo
E) Does the potential difference depend on the magnitude of the test charge, q o? Explain.
The electric potential difference between two points is ratio between the work done and the magnitude of charge.

W Fd
ΔV = =
qo qo

Yes, potential depends upon magnitude of test charge. As the distance between two point in electric field is same,
increasing the charge magnitude decreases potential difference as from above relation.

F) Find a value (in terms of ke) for ΔV between locations XA (i.e. 9 grid points from the q = +1 nC  charge) and XB
(i.e. 3 grid points from the q = +1 nC charge). Each grid space is 0.5 m and 1 nC = 1.0 x 10 -9 C. (Hint: you may
want to use the formula for the potential around a point charge derived in the mini-lecture.) Show all work
From figure;

x A=9∗0.5=4.5 cm

x B =3∗0.5=1.5 cm

q=+1 nC
Potential at A;

q 10−9 −7
V A =k e =k e =0.23 x 10 k e
xA 4.5 x 10 −2

Potential at B;

q 10−9 −7
V B =k e =k e =0.67 x 10 k e
xB 1.5 x 10 −2

ΔV =V B −V A =0.44 x 10−7 k e

PROBLEM 5: POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE OF A POINT CHARGE

Distance between the +1 nC charge to xA= 451 cm

Distance between the +1 nC charge to xB= 150 cm

2) What is the voltage at xA? xB?

V A =2V

V B =6 V

3) What is the potential difference between points xA and xB?

V B −V A =4 V

4) Compare the value for the potential difference measured on the simulation with the value you computed
earlier. Resolve any discrepancies.

Previous calculated values are in close correspondence with the simulation values. The difference to third decimal is
rounded off.

5) How does the value for ΔV between xB and xA compare to the value between xA and xB? Explain.

The potential difference A and B is same as the distance between both point is same. Which indicate equal work
done from point A to B and B to A.
6) Does the value of the potential difference between xB and xA depend on the path along which you move?
Explain how you arrived at your answer.

No, the potential difference between two points in electric field is independent of path. Potential difference is point
function depending on initial and final points only irrespective of path. Values of voltage is calculated at different
paths to point B from A.

7) Is the potential difference between positions xA and xC greater than, less than, or equal to the potential
difference between positions xA and xB? Explain.

Potential difference between x A∧x C and x A∧x B is equal as the points B and C are equidistant. As potential
difference is function of distance and the distance between A & C is equal to A & B hence potential difference is
equal.

8) Now use the measuring tools to find the potential difference between positions xA and xC. Compare the value
of ΔV between xA and xC to the value of ΔV between xA and xB.

V A =2V

V B =6 V

V C =6V

V B −V A =4 V

V C −V A=4 V

9) How, if at all, could you move a particle with charge q0 so that the work done on the particle is always zero?
Explain.

No, it is not possible to move the charge with out work done on the particle. Work is product is force and
displacement. Applying force cause displacement and thus work is done.

Net work done could be zero as the charge can be moved to and from the initial point.

10) How, if at all, could you draw a path between points xB and xC along which the potential difference is always
zero? Explain.

Potential difference cannot be zero between two distinct point in electric field. It can only be zero if both points are
place at exactly same points.

11) What is the potential difference between points xC and xD? Use the computer simulation to check your
prediction. Resolve any discrepancies between your predicted and measured values.

V A =2V

V C =6V

V C −V A=4 V

12) What is the potential difference between points xA and xD? Use the computer simulation to check your
prediction. Resolve any discrepancies between your predicted and measured values.

V A =2V

V D=6 V

V D−V A =4 V
PROBLEM 6: EQUIPOTENTIAL LINES AND ELECTRIC FIELD VECTORS
6.1 What is the direction of the electric field with respect to the equipotential line? (e.g. parallel/perpendicular)

The direction of the electric field is normal (perpendicular) to the equipotential line

6.2 Does the E-field point to higher potentials, lower potentials, or is there no relation?

Electric filed points to lower potential i.e. potential decreases as we move away from charge.

6.3 Measure the E-field at xA and xB by placing a sensor at each location.

x A=0.44 V /m

x B =4.03 V /m

6.4 Based on your measured values of electric field (E), electric potential (V), and distance (r), come up with a
relationship between V, E, and r.

Electric Potential V and Electric field E varies inversely with distance r.

V
E∞
r
Or Electric Field varies directly with Potential and inversely with distance r.

6.5 Replace the +1 nC charge with a -1 nC charge on the grid.

What happens to the direction of the electric field vectors?

Direction of electric field is inverted.

What happens to the values of the equipotential lines?

It remains same.

PROBLEM 7: PARALLEL PLATES