Unit 3: Electric Potential

Lesson 3.3
Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Warm Up 3

Learn about It! 5

The General Equation 5
The Electron Volt 5
Calculations of Electric Potential 6
Electric Potential Due to a Point Charge 6
Electric Potential Due to a Collection of Charges 7

Key Points 12

Key Formulas 12

Check Your Understanding 14

Challenge Yourself 16

Bibliography 16

Key to Try It! 17

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Lesson 3.3

Calculating Electric Potential and

Potential Difference

Introduction
Voltage is almost as ubiquitous as the air we breathe. Everything around you that is
powered by electricity operates due to potential difference. Even the cells inside your body
are designed to conduct electricity, thus enabling you to move, feel, and think. It is
noteworthy that a failure in these highly systematized bioelectrical processes often leads to
illnesses. Irregular electrical pulses in the heart, for instance, may lead to a heart attack. Let
us now try to further study the mathematical nature of potential and voltage.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 1

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Learning Objectives DepEd Competencies

In this lesson, you should be able to do the ● Evaluate the potential at any
point in a region containing
following:
point charges
● Explain the relationships between (STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-16).

charge, electric field, potential, and ● Determine the electric potential

function at any point due to
potential difference.
highly symmetric
● Calculate potential difference. continuous-charge distributions
(STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-17).
● Determine the electric potential due
● Solve problems involving
to a point charge and to a collection of electric potentials in contexts
charges. such as, but not limited to,
electron guns in CRT TV picture
tubes, conditions for merging of
charge liquid drops
(STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-22).

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 2

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Warm Up
Charges and Fields 8 minutes
This PhET simulation will help you study the relationship between the potential at a given
location in space and the distance from electric charge(s).

Procedure
1. Set up the charges and fields simulation to its initial condition using the link below. A
screenshot of the simulation is presented in Fig. 3.3.1.

Charges and Fields

University of Colorado Boulder, “Charges and Fields,” PhET
Interactive Simulations,
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields,
last accessed on March 13 2020.

Fig. 3.3.1. Charges and fields simulation

2. Next, position one positive charge into the center of the screen. Observe the
direction of the field lines around the positively charged particle. Drag the blue
voltmeter sensor from the right-hand part of the simulator and move it around the
charge, first at equal distance in all directions, and second, at varying distances.
3. Then, using the tape measure, take the measurements provided in Table 3.3.1. Note
down the measured value on the voltmeter sensor accordingly.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 3

Unit 3: Electric Potential

4. Tick “reset”. Drag one positive charge onto the center of the screen. Measure the
potential difference 122.4 cm away from this charge using the voltmeter sensor.
Then, stack one more positive charge on top of the first and measure the potential
difference from the same distance (122.4 cm). Do this step four times and record
your observations on Table 3.3.2.

Data Tables
Table 3.3.1. Distances and voltmeter reading

Point Distance Voltmeter Reading

1 4.5 cm

2 14.1 cm

3 43.0 cm

4 301. 7 cm

5 604.4 cm

Table 3.3.2. Charge number and voltmeter reading

Charge Number Voltmeter Reading

Guide Questions
1. Where are the values of the voltage the same around the positive charge? Where are
they different?
2. Based on the data you have gathered in Table 3.3.1, what is the relationship
between the distance and potential difference?

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 4

Unit 3: Electric Potential

3. Based on the data you have gathered in Table 3.3.2, what is the relationship
between charge and potential difference?

Learn about It!

How will you differentiate electric potential from

potential difference?

The General Equation

You have learned that potential refers to the electric potential energy UE per unit charge

and is solved by or . Potential difference, on the other hand, is the

change in potential energy UE of a charge displaced from point A to B and is solved by VAB =
VA – VB.

Electric potential difference is most commonly referred to as voltage. Its relationship with
electric potential energy UE is given by:

Equation 3.3.1

where ΔU is the change in electric potential energy, VA is the potential at point A, VB is the
potential at point B, q is the magnitude of the point charge, ΔV is the potential difference.

The Electron Volt

In electrostatics, the value of electric energy often results in extremely low amounts of joule.
To deal with the tedious task of writing these very small values, an easier way of expressing
electrical energy and work was devised. Physicists call this unit the electron volt (eV). It
refers to the quantity of work done to displace a charge through a potential difference of 1
V. 1 eV is thus equivalent to the product of one volt 1 V and 1 elementary charge, hence:

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 5

Unit 3: Electric Potential

What is the relationship between potential

difference and electric potential energy?

Calculations of Electric Potential

Electric Potential Due to a Point Charge
Recall that when the point charge q is positive, the potential is also positive everywhere.
Similarly, a negatively-charged q will have its potential negative at all points. To determine
the electric potential due to one point charge q, the following equation is used:

Equation 3.3.2

where V is the electric potential due a point charge , is the electric constant, q0 is the
magnitude of the point charge, r is the distance where potential is measured with respect to
the charge.

In this equation, the electric potential V is set arbitrarily at 0, and r is at an infinite distance
from the point charge. Therefore, the electric potential V, with respect to the point

charge, decreases with distance, and the electric field , with respect to the point charge,

decreases with distance squared. In such case, the electric field is given by:

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 6

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Electric Potential Due to a Collection of Charges

Consider a system that contains a certain number N of charges: q1, q2, q3, …, qN. Each of
these charges produces its own potential at a certain point. Point P, for instance has a
potential equivalent to VP = V1, V2, V3, … VN. The test charge may be brought from its
reference point at infinity to point P. The net potential VP is the summation of all the
potentials given, and may be expressed as follows:

Equation 3.3.3

where V is the electric potential due a system of charges, is the electric constant, q0 is
the magnitude of the ith point charge, r is the distance where potential is measured with
respect to the ith charge.

How do we determine the electric potentials due to

a point charge and due to a collection of charges?

Tips
The resulting electric potential at a given point (P) is the summation
of the potentials at that point due to each of the charges. You
need not take direction into consideration since potential is a scalar.
Be mindful, however, of the charges’ signs.

Remember
A negative voltage implies that the positively charged particle will
be attracted from a greater distance and the potential will be lower.
The opposite is true for a negative charge.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 7

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Let’s Practice!

Example 1
Solve the potential at a point 18 m away from a 17.14 μC (A) and a -17.14 μC (B).

Solution

Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.

You are asked to calculate the electric potential due to point charges A and B.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

The distance from both charges, 18 m, the magnitude of charge A, 17.14 μC , and
the magnitude of charge B, -17.14 μC are given.

Step 3: Write the working equations.

Step 4: Substitute the given values.

Step 5: Find the answer.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 8

Unit 3: Electric Potential

The potential due to point A is 8.57 ✕ 103 V, and due to point B is -8.57 ✕ 103 V.

1 Try It!
Calculate the electric potential at a point 32.16 m away from a 55.67 μC (C) and a
‒55.67 μC (D).

Example 2
Consider, for instance, that during a thunderstorm, the magnitude of the change in electric
potential energy ΔUE of an electron that has moved between a thundercloud and the
ground is 1.33 ✕ 10-28 J. Determine the electric potential difference ΔV between the ground
and the cloud.

Solution

Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.

You are asked to calculate the electric potential difference between the ground
and the cloud.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

The magnitude of the change in electric potential energy, ΔUE = 1.33✕10-28 J, is
given. The charge of one electron is 1.6 ✕ 10-19 C.

Step 3: Write the working equation.

The electric potential difference is hence given by:

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 9

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Step 4: Substitute the given values.

Step 5: Find the answer.

Thus, the electric potential difference between the ground and the cloud is 8.31 ✕ 10-10 V.

2 Try It!
What will be the electric potential difference ΔV between the ground the cloud if the
magnitude of the change in electric potential energy of two electrons becomes 4.13
✕ 10-28 J?

Example 3
A positive and a negative charge are found on the corners of a rectangle with w = 0.15 mm
and l = 0.35 mm. The negatively-charged particle, found at the upper left hand corner, has a
magnitude of ‒8 ✕ 10-6 C. The positively-charged particle at the lower right corner, on the
other hand, has a magnitude of 4 ✕ 10-6 C. What will be the electric potential at the upper
right hand corner (point P) of the rectangular region?

Solution

Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.

You are asked to calculate the potential at the upper right hand corner of the
rectangle.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 10

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

The width, w = 0.15 mm, and length, l = 0.35 mm, of the rectangle, the
magnitude of the negatively charged particle (‒8 ✕ 10-6 C) and the magnitude of
the positively charged particle (4 ✕ 10-6 C) are given.

Step 3: Write the working equation.

Step 4: Substitute the given values.

Step 5: Find the answer.

The potential at the upper right hand corner of the rectangle VP is 3.43 ✕ 107 V.

3 Try It!
A positive and a negative charge are found on the corners of a rectangle with
w = 0.254 mm and l = 0.741 mm. The negatively-charged particle, found at the upper
left-hand corner, has a magnitude of ‒15 ✕ 10-6 C. The positively-charged particle at
the lower right corner, on the other hand, has a magnitude of 24 ✕ 10-6 C. What will
be the electric potential at the upper right hand corner (point P) of the rectangular
region?

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 11

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Did You Know?

The nerve and muscle cells of the heart create an electric dipole
similar to the positive charge and the negative charge on the
exterior and interior surfaces, respectively. Every time your heart
beats, the surface of it experiences changes in electric potential
that can be measured by a machine called an electrocardiogram
(ECG).

Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● Potential refers to the electric potential energy UE per unit charge. Potential
difference, or voltage, on the other hand, is the change in potential energy UE of a
charge displaced from Point A to B.
● The electron volt (eV) is defined as the quantity of work done to displace a charge
through a potential difference of 1 V. One eV is equivalent to the product of one volt
1 V and 1 elementary charge.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Key Formulas
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Concept Formula Description

Electric Potential Use this formula to solve the

potential when the
where
magnitude of the charge
● V is the potential;
and the radius are given.
● k is Coulomb’s constant;
● q is the magnitude of the
charge, and

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 12

Unit 3: Electric Potential

● r is the radius.

Change in Electric Use this formula to solve the

Potential Energy where magnitude of the change

● ΔU is the change in electric in the electric potential

potential energy; energy when either the

● VA is the potential at point A; potentials due to two points,

● VB is the potential at point B; or the magnitude of the

● q is the magnitude of the charge and the potential

point charge, and difference are given.

● ΔV is the potential
difference.

Electric Potential Use this formula to solve the

due to a Point electric potential when
Charge where there is only one point
● V is the electric potential charge involved.
due to a point charge;
● 1/4π𝜀0 is Coulomb’s
constant;
● q is the magnitude of the
charge, and
● r is the distance where
potential is measured with
respect to the charge.

Electric Potential Use this formula to solve the

due to a Collection electric potential when a
of Charges collection of point charges
where
are given.
● VP is the electric potential
due a system of charges;
● 1/4π𝜀0 is Coulomb’s

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 13

Unit 3: Electric Potential

constant;
● qi is the magnitude of the ith
point charge, and
● ri is the distance where
potential is measured with
respect to the ith charge.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify whether each statement is true or false.

_________________ 1. Potential difference is mathematically expressed as

_________________ 2. 1 electron volt (eV) is equivalent to the product of 1 volt and

1 elementary charge.

_________________ 3. The electric potential due to a point charge is given by

_________________ 4. Potential difference is synonymous to the term volt.

_________________ 5. A negatively-charged q will have its potential positive at all

points in the system.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 14

Unit 3: Electric Potential

B. Solve the following problems.

1. Convert 4.77 picojoules to electron volts.

2. A 0.750-cm diameter shell contains a uniformly distributed charge of 65.4 pC
on its surface. Determine the potential near the surface of the sphere.
3. What is the potential at a point 18 m away from a 17.14 mC charge?
4. A van de Graaff generator with a 415-mm diameter metallic sphere has a
voltage of 200 kV near the surface. What will be the excess charge on the
sphere?
5. A sphere contains a uniformly distributed charge of 2.67 C. At what distance
from the center of the sphere is equivalent to 7.5 MV?
6. How far from a 64.5 μC point charge will the electric potential be equivalent to
101 V?
7. What will be the magnitude of the charge if the electric potential due to a
point charge is equal to 5.6 ✕ 103 V at a distance of 17 m?
8. Calculate the work needed to move a 10.23 ✕ 10-9 C charge through a
potential difference of 200 V.
9. If 5.7 ✕ 10-3 J of work is needed to move a 1.9 ✕ 10-6 C from point A to point B,
what is the potential difference between points A and B?
10. Solve the voltage 6.5 cm away from the center of a 2.5-cm diameter
conducting sphere that has a –4.5 μC.

C. For the next items, read and analyze the situation below. Consider
the two spheres to be concentric and the potential from both of
them to be V = 0

An insulating sphere with a radius of r1 = 2.5 mm is located inside a larger spherical

insulating shell with radius r2 = 5.7 mm. The smaller sphere contains a charge of q1 =
7.5 μC and the larger one contains a charge of q2 = ‒9.15 μC, both of which are
uniformly distributed over their respective surfaces.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 15

Unit 3: Electric Potential

1. What will be the potential due to both spheres from their center at a distance
of r = 0?
2. How will the potential change from a distance of r = 6.1 mm?
3. What is the potential at r = 7.5 mm?
4. Determine the magnitude of the electric potential difference between the
surfaces of the two spheres.
5. Identify which of the two spheres has a higher potential.

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions.

1. If Points A and B are at a similar electric potential, does it follow that no work is
exerted to move a charged particle to a certain distance?
2. If the electric potential due to a given point is equivalent to zero, can the electric
field at that point be nonzero? Explain your answer.
3. Do two car batteries which have the same voltage contain the same amount of
energy? Explain your answer.
4. If a power line of high voltage accidentally falls on a car such that its body is at a
potential of 9 550 V relative to the ground, will the people inside this car be hurt?
Why or why not?
5. Will it be safe for the car’s occupants to get out of the car? Why or why not?

Bibliography

Coletta, Vincent P. Physics Fundamentals. Lakeville, MN: Physics Curriculum & Instruction,
Inc., 2010.

Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual Physics (11th ed). New York: Pearson Education, 2010.

Holt, R., Serway, R., & Faugn, J. Physics. Austin, TX: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006.

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 16

Unit 3: Electric Potential

Macalalad, E. P. and Vergara, R. L. Exploring the Realms of Science: Physics. Valenzuela City:
JO-ES Publishing House, Inc., 2011.

Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. Fundamentals of Physics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011.

Key to Try It!

1. VB = 1.56 ✕ 104 V; VC = ‒1.56 ✕ 104 V
2. ΔV = 1.29 ✕ 10-9 V
3. V = 6.68 ✕ 108 V

3.3. Calculating Electric Potential and Potential Difference 17