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Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Notes

1. Electrostatic potential is defined as the work done per unit positive test charge to move it from infinity to a point in an electric field without acceleration. It is a scalar quantity measured in volts. 2. The electrostatic potential difference between two points is defined as the work done per unit positive test charge to move it between the two points against the electrostatic force without acceleration. 3. The electrostatic potential due to a point charge q at a distance r is given by kq/r, where k is a constant.

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247 views4 pages

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Notes

1. Electrostatic potential is defined as the work done per unit positive test charge to move it from infinity to a point in an electric field without acceleration. It is a scalar quantity measured in volts. 2. The electrostatic potential difference between two points is defined as the work done per unit positive test charge to move it between the two points against the electrostatic force without acceleration. 3. The electrostatic potential due to a point charge q at a distance r is given by kq/r, where k is a constant.

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Lonely Soul
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Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

1. Electrostatic Potential The electrostatic potential at any point in an electric field is equal to the
cf test tringng the unit pOsitive test charge fram
amcunt work
infinite to that
dene per unit pcsitrve charge
the electrestatic force
or
in
point, against withcut acceleraticn.
Electrostatic potential, V -work done
(W)
Charge (q)
Its SI unit is volt (V) and 1V- 1 J/C and its dimensional formula is [MLPT"A-'].
It is a scalar quantity.
NOTE: Electrostatic potential is a state dependent function as electrostatic fcrces are conservative
fcrces
2.Electrostatic Potential Difference The electrcstatic potential difference between two points in an
electric field is defined as the amount cf work done in mcving a unit pcsitive test charge from ane
point to the other point against of electrostatic force without any acceleration (ie. the difference of
electrastatic pctentials of the two points in the electric field).

Va-Vaa
where, is work dane in taking charge q0 fram A to B against of electrostatic force.
Alsc, the line integral of electric field from initial positicn A to final pcsition B alcng any path is
termed as potential difference between two points in an electric field, ie.

Va-Va- Ed
NOTE: AS, wrk done on a test charge ty the electrostatic field due tc any given charge
ccntiguration is independent of the path, hence pctential difference is alsc same tor any path.
For the diagram given as below. potential difference between pcints A and B will be same for any
path.

3. Electrostatic potential due tc a point charge q at any pcint P lying at a distance r from it is given
by
V .
4TE
4. The potential at a point due tc a pcsitive charge is positive while due to negative charge, it is
negative
5. When a positive charge is placed in an electric field, it experiences a force which drives it from
points of higher pctential to the pcints of lower potential On the other hand, a negative charge
experiences a force driving it from lower pctential to higher
6. Electrostatic potential due tc an electric dipole at any point P whcse position vector is r w.rt. mid
point of dipole is given by
3. Electrostatic potential due tc a point charge q at any pcint P lying at a distance r from it is given
by
V- L.9
4T
4. The potential at a pont due tc a pcstive charge is positive while due to negative charge, it is
negative.
5. When a positive charge is placed in an electric field, it experiences a force which drives it from
points of higher pctential to the pcints of lower potential On the other hand, a negative charge
experiences a force driving it frcm lcwer pctential to higher.
6. Electrostatic potential due tc an electric dipole at any point P whcse pcsition vector is r w.rt. mid
point of dipole is given by

P cos 6
V
4xe r*

V P
4 IrP
where, 61s the angle between r and p.
OP +9
2a
7. The electrostatic potential on the perpendicular bisector due to an electric dipole is zero.
8. Electrostatic potential at any point F due to a system cf n paint charges qi. Q2. - - n whese
position vectcrs are fJ2-n respectively, is given by

V 2
4TEir-r|
where,r is the position vectcr of point Pw.rt the origin.
9.Electrostatic potential due tc a thin charged spherical shell carying charge q and radius R
respectively. at any pcint P lying
( inside the shell is V=
47oR
V=
(4) on the
surface of shell is .

(in outside the shell is V=- for r>R

where, r is the distance of point P from the centre of the shell.

10. Graphical representation cf variation of electric potential due to a charged shell at a distance r
from centre cf shell is given as below

Varietion of potentiel due to charged shell with


distance r trom its centre

11 Equipotential Surface A surface which have same electrcstatic potential at every point on it, is
known as equipotential surtace
The shape of equipotential surface due to
0 line charge is cylindnca
(n) point charge is spherical as shown along side
(a) Equipotential surfaces do nct intersect each other as it gives two directions of electric field E at
intersectingpoint which is not pcssible
(b) Equipotential surfaces are clcsely spaced in the region of strang electric field and vice-versa.
(c) Electric field is always ncrmal to equipctential surface at every pcint of it and directed frcm ane

equipotential surface at higher potential to the equipotential surface at lower potential.


(d) Wcrk done in moving a test charge frem cne point of equipotential surface to other is zero.

ield lines

Equipotential
Surtaces
(spherical in shape)

12. Relationship between electic field and potential gradient


E==-
dr
i.e.
E,-E,--E,- z
where, negative sign indicates that the direction of electric field is from higher pctential to lower
potential, ie. in the direction of decreasing potential
NOTE:(0) Electric field is in the direction of which the potential decreases steepest.
(i) Its magnitude is given by the change in the magnitude cf pctential per unit displacement normal
tcthe equipotential surtface at the point
13. Electrostatic Potential Energy The work done against electrostatic force gets stored as
potential energy. This is called electrostatic pctential energy.
AU Ug-Ua =WAB
14. The work done in mcving a unit positive test charge over a closed path in an electric field is zero.
Thus, electrostatic forces are conservative in nature.
15. Electrostatic potential energy of a system of two point charges is given by
1
U-

Putting the values of charge with their signs.


16. Electrostatic potential cf a system of n point charges is given by 3
U j iand ij- ji
17.Potential Energy in an Extemal Field
Potential Energy cf a single charge in external field Pctential energy of a single charge q at a pcint
with position vector r, in an extemal fheld is qV(o).
where V) is the pctential at the point due tc external electric field E.
(n) Potential Energy ofa system cf two charges in an external field
U - q,Vr)+4,V(r,)*
4REoFi2
where. q, and q = two point charges at position vectors ri and ra, respectively
V(r)- potential at r due to the external field
Vra) potential at e due to
the external field
18. Potential energy cf a dipole in a uniform electric field E is given by
Potential energy = p.E
19. Electrostatic Shielding The prccess which invclves the making of a regicn free from any electric
field is known as electrostatic shielding
Conductor

E-0V-Vo constan

It happens due to the fact that no electric field exist inside a charged hollaw conductor. Potential
inside a shell is constant. In this way we can also ccnclude that the field inside the shell (hollow
Ccnductor) will be
zero

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