Electric Potential Energy (U)

and
Electric Potential (V)
1
Electric Potential Energy (U)

2
3
WHAT IS WORK?
Work is a product of the
magnitude of the displacement
of an object and the
component of the force parallel
to the displacement.
4
5
 Angle between the force and
work force distance the displacement

W = F d Cos 𝜽

6
W = 360
60 6Nm 1
J Cos(0)
7
W = F𝑑cos𝜃

Work is measured in Joules.

Joules are used as units for energy

Energy is the ability, or the capacity to do work.

1Nm = 1J
8
 Electric potential energy
Electric potential energy is the energy that is needed to move a
charge against an electric field.
F=Exq *If the charge q is positive,
E
this force is parallel to E *
+ - W=F∆𝑑
+ q F - *The change in potential
+ ∆𝑈 = -W energy associated with a
+ A -
∆𝑑 B particular conservative
+ - ∆𝑈 = -(F ∆ 𝑑)
force is equal to –W.
+ - ∆𝑼 = -(Eq ∆ 𝒅)
9
 E The electric field does a positive amount of work on the
particle because the electric force and the particle’s
+ + F - displacement are parallel and the change in the
potential energy is negative.
+ + -
∆𝑑
+ A B
- The work done by the electric field on the particle is
+ 𝐹𝐸𝑥𝑡
+ 𝐹𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐
- thus negative, the displacement is opposite to the
∆𝑑 electric force and the change in electric potential energy
+ A B
-
is positive

10
A +50µC point charge moves from point A to point B as shown in the diagram below. The
magnitude of the electric field is 2 x 𝟏𝟎𝟔 N/C. Points A and B are 80cm and 20cm above the
negatively charge plate respectively. Calculate the change in electric potential energy from
point A to point B.
∆𝑼 = -(Eq ∆ 𝒅)
∆𝑈 = -(2 x 106 N/C)(50 x 10−6 𝐶)(0.2 − 0.8)
+ + + + + +
∆𝑈 = -(2 x 106 N/C)(50 x 10−6 𝐶)(0.2m − 0.8m)
+50 A 80cm
µC
E ∆𝑈 = 60 J
F
B 20cm

- - - - -
11
12
W = F d
r 1 0
cos 𝜃

13
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY (U)

k 𝑞1 𝑞2
U =
r
14
A proton is released from rest at x = -2.00 cm in a constant electric field with
magnitude 1.50 x 103 N/C, pointing in the x – direction.
(a) calculate the change in the electric potential energy associated with the proton
when it reaches x = 5.00 cm.
(b) An electron is now fired in the same direction from the same position. What is
the change in electric potential energy associated with the electron if it reaches
x = 12.0 cm?
(c) if the direction of the electric field is reversed and an electron is released from
rest at x = 3.00 cm, by how much has the electric potential energy changed
when the electron reaches x = 7.00 cm?

15
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY (U)
k 𝑞1 𝑞2
U =
r

∆𝑼 = -(Eq ∆ 𝒅)

16
When a negative charge is moved
from a low potential to a point of high
potential, its potential energy
E
+ -
Increases + F - -
Decreases -
Stays the same
+ ∆𝑑
-
Increases and then decreases + -
+ -
17
 If were going to push two positive
same charged particles together, do
they have more or less electric
potential energy?
More
Electric Field Displacement Electric Force

+
-
-
-
-
-

19
Displacement Electric Force

+ +
+
+
+
+
+

20
 Electric Potential (V)
Electric potential is simply a
measure of the potential
energy per unit charge.
21
 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)
𝑈 𝑘𝑞
V = V =
𝑞 𝑟
Electric potential due to a
V = Electric Potential
point charge
U = Electric Potential Energy

q = charge
22
 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)
*Electric potential is often referred as “the potential”

*SI Unit: Volt (V)

*Alessandro Volta

1 𝐽 1𝑁𝑚
*1 V = = 𝐶
1𝐶

*The SI unit of Electric Field: 1N/C = 1V/m

23
 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)

1𝐽 1𝑁𝑚
1V= =
1𝐶 𝐶

The SI unit of Electric Field: 1N/C = 1V/m

24
 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)
Electric Potential Difference(∆V) between
points A and B, 𝑉𝐵 - 𝑉𝐴

∆𝑈 ∆𝑈
∆V = ∆V =
𝑞 𝑞

*Voltage is the common name for

electric potential difference.
25
 𝑈
V = V =
𝑘𝑞
𝑞 𝑟

∆𝑈
∆V =
𝑞
26
 1𝐽 1𝑁𝑚
Example: 1V= 1𝐶
= 𝐶

A charge of q = -5.3nC is accelerated from rest

through a potential difference of 25V. What is
the change in electric potential energy of the
charge? ∆V =
∆𝑈
𝑞
q = -5.3 x 10−9 C ∆𝑈
25V = −5.3
∆V = 25V x 10−9 C
∆U = ?
∆𝑈
∆V = ∆𝑈 = -1.325 x 10−7 J
𝑞
27
Example:

How much work is required to move a -500µC

charge across a potential difference of +300V
q = -500 x 10−6 C −𝑊
∆V =
∆V = 300V 𝑞
−𝑊
𝑊 =? 300V =
∆𝑈 = −𝑤 −500 x 10−6 C
∆V = W = 0.15 J
𝑞
28
100J of work was done by an electric field on a
+5C charge to accelerate it from point A to point
B. (a) What is the voltage across points A and B?
(b) If the electric potential at point A is 50V,
what is the electric potential at point B?
50V ?V
−𝑊
W = 100J ∆V = A B
𝑞 +5
q = 5C
−100J
∆V = ? ∆V = 5𝐶
∆V = 𝑉𝐵 - 𝑉𝐴
−𝑊 −20𝑉 = 𝑉𝐵 - 50𝑉
∆V = ∆V = −20𝑉
𝑞 30V = 𝑉𝐵 29
Example:
The electric field strength between two parallel
conducting plates separated by 4cm is 7.50 x
104 V/m. What is the potential difference
between the plates?
4
∆V = Ed
E = 7.50 x 10 V/m
d = 1cm = 0.01m
∆V = (7.50 x 104 V/m) (0.04m)
∆V = ? ∆V = 3,000V
∆V = Ed
30
 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)
Relating the Potential difference
−𝑊
(Voltage) to the Electric Field ∆V = 𝑞
- ∆Vq = W
Ed = ∆V - (𝑉𝐵 - 𝑉𝐴 ) q = W
∆V q = W
∆V q = Fd
∆V q = Eqd
∆V = Ed 31
 𝑈
V = ∆V =
∆𝑈
𝑞 𝑞

𝑘𝑞 −𝑊
V = ∆V =
𝑟 𝑞

Ed = ∆V
32
Two parallel oppositely charges plates are 5.1 cm
apart. The potential difference between the plates
is 44.6V. Find the electric field strength between
them.
∆V = 44.6 V Ed = ∆V
d = 5.1 cm E(0.051m) = 44.6𝑉
E=? E = 8.7 x 𝟏𝟎 V/m
𝟐

34
An electron is accelerated from rest through a
potential difference 12V. What is the change in
electric potential energy of the electron?
 ∆𝑈
q = -1.6 x 10 −19
C ∆V =
𝑞
∆V = 12V
∆U = ? ∆𝑈
12V =
−1.6 x 10−19 C
∆𝑈
∆V =
𝑞 ∆U = -1.92 𝑥10 −18
J
36
 TASK 3.4 (Project)
Solve the following: Show the solutions (given, formula, solution and final
answer).

1. Two point charges Q1 = 3.5 µC and Q2= 7.5 µC are initially very far apart. They
are then brought together, with a final separation of 2.5 m. How much work
does it take to bring them together?

2. Two parallel oppositely charged plates are 5.1 cm apart. The potential
difference in volts between the plates is 44.6 V. Find the electric field
between them.

3. An electron and a proton are a distance r= 7.5x10-9 m apart. How much

energy is required to increase their separation?

4. If it takes 88.3 J of work to move 0.721 C of charge from a positive to a 37

negative plate, what is the electric potential between the plate?
TASK 3.4 (Project)
5. If the four charged particles: q1 = 3.9 nC, q2 = 2.0 nC, q3 = 3.2 nC and q4 = 2.5 nC
are enclosed in a Gaussian surface. What is the net electric flux through the
Gaussian surface?

6. Calculate the electric field through the surface from a point charge 4.45 x
10−16 C and radius of 2m with the permittivity of free space?

7. Find the magnitude of the electric force between two electrons that separated
by a distance of 2.15 cm.

8. Obtain the magnitude of electric field at a distance of 0.25m from a point charge
Q = 3.56 µC.
38
TASK 3.4 (Project)
9. The electric potential difference between two infinite, parallel metal is V. If
the plates are separated by a distance of 6.0 cm and the electric field between
the plates is E = 300 V/m, what is V?

10. If the electric field of a two positively charged are 5.68 x 10−16 N/C and the
distance between them is 9 m. Find the electric potential.

11. The charge of an object is equal to 56 C with the potential difference of 98.23
volts. Determine the work.

12. What is the voltage of an object if the charge is 10.7 x 10−25 C and the
distance is 5 cm?
39
CAPACITORS
1
 Capacitors
It can be used to store electric charge and energy.
It consists of at least two electrical conductors separated
by a distance.
 Capacitance (C)
The capacitance, C, of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the
magnitude of the charge on either conductor to the potential difference
between the conductors.
Q
C
V
The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F).

The farad is a large unit, typically

you will see microfarads (µF) and picofarads (pF).
 Capacitance (C)
Capacitance will always be a positive quantity

The capacitance of a given capacitor is constant.

The capacitance is a measure of the capacitor’s ability to store charge.

The capacitance of a capacitor is the amount of charge the capacitor can

store per unit of potential difference.
A system composed of two identical parallel-
conducting plates separated by a distance is
called a parallel-plate capacitor

The magnitude of the electric field between the

plates is
𝑄
E=𝜀
0𝐴

Q = charge
𝜀0 = electric constant 8.85 x 10−12 F/𝑚
A = Area 5
The capacitance C of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the maximum
charge Q that can be stored in a capacitor to the applied voltage V across its
plates.
In other words, capacitance is the largest amount of charge per volt that can
be stored on the device:
𝑄
C=
∆𝑉
SI Unit: farad (F)
Michael Faraday
1𝐶
1𝐹 = 1𝑉
6
 Parallel – Plate Capacitor
The parallel – plate capacitor has two identical conducting plates, each having a
surface area A, separated by a distance d.

The magnitude of the potential difference between the two

plates is
∆V = Ed
𝑄
∆V = Ed E=
𝜀0 𝐴
𝑄
∆V = (𝜀 𝐴 )d
0

𝑄𝑑
∆V = 𝜀0 𝐴
7
 Parallel – Plate Capacitor
𝑄 𝑄
C= ∆V = 𝐶 ∆VC = Q
∆𝑉
𝑄𝑑
∆V =
𝜀0 𝐴

𝑄 C=
𝑄 𝜀0 𝐴
C= ∆𝑉
𝑄𝑑 C= (parallel – plate capacitor)
𝜀0 𝐴 𝑑
8
 Parallel – Plate Capacitor
(a)What is the capacitance of an empty parallel – plate
capacitor with metal plates that each have an area of 1.00
𝒎𝟐 , separated by 1.00 mm? (b) How much charge is stored in
this capacitor if a voltage of 3.00 x 103 V is applied to it?
A = 1 𝑚2 C=
𝜀0 𝐴
d = 1.00 mm or 0.001 m 𝑑

𝜀0 = 8.85 x 10−12 F /m (8.85 x 10−12 F/𝑚)(1 𝑚2 )

C=
0.001 m
𝜀0 𝐴
C= 𝑑
C = 8.85 x 10−9 F
9
 Parallel – Plate Capacitor
(a)What is the capacitance of an empty parallel – plate capacitor
with metal plates that each have an area of 1.00 𝑚2 , separated
by 1.00 mm? (b) How much charge is stored in this
capacitor if a voltage of 3.00 x 𝟏𝟎𝟑 V is applied to it?
𝑄
A = 1 𝑚2 C = ∆V
d = 1.00 mm or 0.001 m
𝜀0 = 8.85 x 10−12 F /m 8.85 x 10 −9
F =
𝑄
3.00 𝑥 103 𝑉
C = 8.85 x 10−9 F
2.655 x 10−5 C = Q
10
 Parallel – Plate Capacitor
A 1 – F Parallel – Plate Capacitor.
Suppose you wish to construct a parallel – plate capacitor with a
capacitance of 1.0F. What area must you use for each plate if
the plates are separated by 1.0mm? C = 𝜀0 𝐴 𝐶𝑑
A=
𝑑 𝜀0
d = 1.00 mm or 0.001 m
(1𝐹)(0.001𝑚)
𝜀0 = 8.85 x 10−12 F /m A=
8.85 x 10−12 F /m
C=1F
A = 1.13 𝑥 108 𝑚2
A=?
11
 Parallel – Plate Capacitor
The capacitance of a parallel – plate capacitor is 2.0 pF. If the
area of each plate is 2.4 𝑐𝑚2 , what is the plate separation?
𝜀0 𝐴
C = 2 pF = 2 x 10−12 F C= 𝑑
A = 2.4 𝑐𝑚2 = 0.024 𝑚2
𝜀0 𝐴
𝜀0 = 8.85 x 10−12 F /m d= 𝐶
(8.85 x 10−12 F /m)(0.00024 m2 )
d=? d=
2 x 10−12 F

d = 1.062 𝑥 10−3 m
12
 Capacitors in Series
When capacitors are connected one after another, they are
said to be in series.
𝑄
C=
∆V

𝑄
∆V =
𝐶

14
 Capacitors in Series
𝑄 𝑄
∆𝑉1 = ∆𝑉2 = Individual voltage
𝐶1 𝐶2

∆𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = ∆𝑉1 + ∆𝑉2 + ∆𝑉3 Total Voltage

15
 Capacitors in Series
1 1 1 1
= + + (Capacitors in series)
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶3
The equivalent capacitance of a series combination is always less than
any individual capacitor in the combination.

Q1 = Q2 = Q
16
 Capacitors in Series
Find the net capacitance for three capacitors in series, given
their individual capacitances are 1.0 µF, 5.0 µF, and 8.0 µF.
1 1 1 1
= + 𝐶 +𝐶 𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 = 0.755 µF
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 𝐶1 2 3

1 1 1 1
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣
= 1𝑥10−6 𝐹
+ 5𝑥10−6𝐹 + 8𝑥10−6𝐹 𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 = 7.5 x 10−7 F

1
= 1.325 x 106 F
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣
17
 Capacitors in Parallel
A parallel combination of three capacitors, with one plate of
each capacitor connected to one side of the circuit and the
other plate connected to the other side.

Three capacitors are connected in parallel. Each The charge on the equivalent capacitor is the sum of
capacitor is connected directly to the battery. the charges on the individual capacitors.
18
 Capacitors in Parallel
The flow of charges ceases when the voltage across the
capacitors equals that of the battery.
The potential difference across the capacitors is the same.
And each is equal to the voltage of the battery
ΔV = Δ𝑉1 = Δ𝑉2
The capacitors reach their maximum charge when the flow
of charge ceases.
The total charge is equal to the sum of the charges on the
capacitors.
Qtot = Q1 + Q2 Q1 = C1ΔV Q2 = C2ΔV 19
 Capacitors in Parallel
A parallel combination of three capacitors, with one plate of
each capacitor connected to one side of the circuit and the
other plate connected to the other side.

𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 + 𝐶3
The equivalent capacitance of a parallel combination of capacitors is
greater than any of the individual capacitors.

20
 Capacitors in Parallel
PARALLEL SERIES

TOTAL CAPACITANCE Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3 1 1 1 1

= + + +
Ceq C1 C2 C3
TOTAL CHARGE QT = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + … QT = Ceq VT
INDIVIDUAL CHARGES Q1 = C1V QT = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = …

Q2 = C2V

INDIVIDUAL VOLTAGES VT = V1 = V2 = V3 = … 1
1

21
 Capacitors in Parallel
Find the net capacitance for three capacitors in parallel, given
their individual capacitances are 1.0 µF, 5.0 µF, and 8.0 µF.

𝐶𝑃 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 + 𝐶3
𝐶𝑃 = (1𝑥10−6 𝐹) + (5𝑥10−6𝐹) + (8𝑥10−6𝐹)
−𝟓
𝑪𝑷 = 𝟏.𝟒 𝒙𝟏𝟎 𝑭
22
 Capacitors in Series and Parallel
Suppose you have two capacitors 6.0µF and 3.0µF connected in series
and parallel with points a and b whose potential difference is 18V, what is
the equivalent capacitance, charge, and potential difference for each
1 1 1
capacitor. = +
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 𝐶 1𝐶 2
𝐶1 = 6.0µF = 6 x 10−6 F 1 1 1
= +
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 6 x 10−6 F 3 x 10−6 F
𝐶2 = 3.0µF = 3 x 10−6 F
𝑪𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒗 = 𝟐 x 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 F or 2µF
∆V = 18v 𝑄 𝑄
∆V1 = ∆V2 = 𝐶
Q = 𝐶∆V 𝐶1 2
3.6 x 10−5 C 3.6 x 10−5 C
Q = (2 x 10 −6
F )(18𝑉) ∆V1 = ∆V2 =
6 𝑥 10−6 F 3 x 10−6 F
Q = 3.6 x 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 C ∆V𝟏 = 𝟔𝑽 ∆V𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐𝐕 23
 Capacitors in Series and Parallel
Suppose you have two capacitors 6.0µF and 3.0µF connected in series
and parallel with points a and b whose potential difference is 18V, what is
the equivalent capacitance, charge, and potential difference for each
capacitor.
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2
𝐶1 = 6.0µF = 6 x 10−6 F
𝐶𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣 =(6 x 10−6 F)+(3 x 10−6 F)
𝐶2 = 3.0µF = 3 x 10−6 F
𝑪𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒗 = 9𝐱𝟏𝟎−𝟔 F
∆V = 18v
∆V = 18v = 𝑽𝟏 = 𝑽𝟐
𝑄1 = 𝐶1 ∆V 𝑄2 = 𝐶2 ∆V

𝑄1 = (6 x 10−6 F)(18V) 𝑄2 = (3 x 10−6 F)(18V)

𝑸𝟏 = 1.08 𝐱 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝐂 𝑸𝟐 = 5.4 𝐱 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝐂 24

 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

Find the total capacitance of the combination of capacitors in this figure.

1 1 1 1
= +𝐶 𝐶𝑠
= 1200000 F
𝐶𝑠 𝐶1 2

1 1 1 𝐶𝑠 = 8.33 x 10−7 F or 0.833µF

= +
𝐶𝑠 1𝑥10−6 𝐹 5𝑥10−6𝐹 25
 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

𝐶𝑠 = 8.33 x 10−7 F or 0.833µF

C= 𝐶𝑠 +𝐶3

C=0.833µF +8µF C = 8. 833µF 26

 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

Determine the net capacitance C of the capacitor combination when the

capacitances are 𝐶1 = 12µF, 𝐶2 = 2µF and 𝐶3 = 4µF. When a 12V
potential difference is maintained across the combinations, find the
charge and the voltage across each capacitor.
27