Chapter 25

Electric Potential

Dr. Awos Alsalman

1
Scalar Product of Two Vectors
⚫ The scalar product of
two vectors is written
as A  B
⚫ It is also called the dot
product
⚫ A  B  A B cos q
⚫ q is the angle between A
and B
⚫ Applied to work, this
means
W = F r cos q = F   r
2
Work And Energy
⚫ In the general case of a net force whose
magnitude and direction may vary

W = W (  F)dr
xf
net =
xi

⚫ The Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem states SW

= Kf – Ki = K
1 2
K = mv
2
3
Conservative Forces and
Potential Energy
⚫ Define a potential energy function, U, such
that the work done by a conservative force
equals the decrease in the potential energy of
the system
⚫ The work done by such a force, F, is
xf
WC =  Fx dx = −U
xi

⚫ U is negative when F and x are in the same

direction
4
Electrical Potential Energy
⚫ When a test charge is placed in an electric
field, it experiences a force
⚫
F = qoE
⚫ The force is conservative

⚫ ds is an infinitesimal displacement vector that

is oriented tangent to a path through space

5
Electric Potential Energy, cont
⚫ The work done by the electric field is
F  ds = qoE  ds
⚫ As this work is done by the field, the potential
energy of the charge-field system is changed
by ΔU = −qoE  ds
⚫ For a finite displacement of the charge from A
to B,
B
U = UB − U A = −qo  E  ds
A
6
Electric Potential Energy, final
⚫ Because the force is conservative, the line
integral does not depend on the path taken
by the charge
⚫ This is the change in potential energy of the
system

7
Electric Potential Energy in a Uniform Field:
• In Fig. 23.1 a pair of charged parallel metal plates sets up a
uniform, downward electric field with magnitude E.

8
9
Electric Potential
⚫ The potential energy per unit charge, U/qo, is
the electric potential
⚫ The potential is characteristic of the field only
⚫ The potential energy is characteristic of the charge-field
system
⚫ The potential is independent of the value of qo
⚫ The potential has a value at every point in an
electric field
⚫ The electric potential is
U
V=
qo 10
Electric Potential, cont.
⚫ The potential is a scalar quantity
⚫ Since energy is a scalar
⚫ As a charged particle moves in an electric
field, it will experience a change in potential
U B
V = = −  E  ds
qo A

11
Electric Potential, final
⚫ The difference in potential is the
meaningful quantity
⚫ We often take the value of the potential to
be zero at some convenient point in the
field
⚫ Electric potential is a scalar characteristic
of an electric field, independent of any
charges that may be placed in the field

12
Units
⚫ 1 V = 1 J/C
⚫ V is a volt
⚫ It takes one joule of work to move a 1-coulomb
charge through a potential difference of 1 volt
⚫ In addition, 1 N/C = 1 V/m
⚫ This indicates we can interpret the electric field as
a measure of the rate of change with position of
the electric potential

13
• Using previous equations, and then dividing it by q0 to obtain
Wa→b U  Ub Ua 
=− = − −  = −( Vb − Va ) =
q0 q0  q0 q0  where
= Va − Vb ( 23.13)
Va = U a / q 0 is the potential energy per unit charge at point a,
and similarly for Vb .
• We call Va and Vb the potential at point a and potential at point
b, respectively.
• Potential difference can be measured using instrument called
voltmeter
14
Electron-Volts
⚫ Another unit of energy that is commonly used in
atomic and nuclear physics is the electron-volt
⚫ One electron-volt is defined as the energy of
charge-field system gains or loses when a charge of
magnitude e (an electron or a proton) is moved
through a potential difference of 1 volt
⚫ 1 eV = 1.60 x 10-19 J

15
Potential Difference in a
Uniform Field
⚫ The equations for electric potential can be
simplified if the electric field is uniform:
B B
VB − VA = V = −  E  ds = −E  ds = −Ed
A A
⚫ The negative sign indicates that the electric
potential at point B is lower than at point A
⚫ Electric field lines always point in the direction of
decreasing electric potential

16
Energy and the Direction of
Electric Field
⚫ When the electric field is
directed downward, point
B is at a lower potential
than point A
⚫ When a positive test
charge moves from A to B,
the charge-field system
loses potential energy
⚫ Use the active figure to
compare the motion in the
electric field to the motion
in a gravitational field
PLAY 17
ACTIVE FIGURE
More About Directions
⚫ A system consisting of a positive charge and an
electric field loses electric potential energy when the
charge moves in the direction of the field
⚫ An electric field does work on a positive charge when the
charge moves in the direction of the electric field
⚫ The charged particle gains kinetic energy equal to
the potential energy lost by the charge-field system
⚫ Another example of Conservation of Energy

18
Directions, cont.
⚫ If qo is negative, then ΔU is positive
⚫ A system consisting of a negative charge and
an electric field gains potential energy when
the charge moves in the direction of the field
⚫ In order for a negative charge to move in the
direction of the field, an external agent must do
positive work on the charge

19
Example : Electric force and electric potential

−19
A proton (charge + e = 1.602  10 C ) moves in
straight line from point a to point b inside a linear
accelerator, a total distance d=0.5 m. the electric field is
uniform along this line, with magnitude
E = 1.5  10 N / C in the direction from a to b.
7

Determine a) the force on the proton; b) the work done

on it by the field; c) the potential difference Va − Vb .

20
Electric force and electric
potential
(a ) F = qE = (1.602  10 −19 )(1.5  107 )
F = 2.4  10 −12 N
(b)Wa →b = Fd = (2.4  10 −12 )(0.5)
Wa →b = 1.2  10 −12 J
Wa →b 1.2  10 −12
(c)Va − Vb = =
q 1.602  10 −19
Va − Vb = 7.5  106 J / C
21
Potential and Point Charges
⚫ A positive point charge
produces a field
directed radially
outward
⚫ The potential difference
between points A and B
will be
1 1
VB − VA = keq  − 
 rB rA 

22
Potential and Point Charges,
cont.
⚫ The electric potential is independent of the
path between points A and B
⚫ It is customary to choose a reference
potential of V = 0 at rA = ∞
⚫ Then the potential at some point r is
q
V = ke
r

23
Electric Potential with Multiple
Charges
⚫ The electric potential due to several point
charges is the sum of the potentials due to
each individual charge
⚫ This is another example of the superposition
principle
⚫ The sum is the algebraic sum
qi
V = ke 
i ri

⚫ V = 0 at r = ∞

24
Potential due to two point charges

An electric dipole consists of two point charges,

q1 = +12 nC and q 2 = −12 nC , placed 10 cm apart
(Fig. 23.13). Compute the potentials at points a, b, and c
by adding the potentials due to either charges

25
Potential due to two point
charges
c

13 cm 13 cm

b a
q1 q2
4 cm 6 cm 4 cm

26
Potential at point a

1 qi
V= 
4 0 i ri
1 q1 1 q2
(a )Va = +
4 0 r1 4 0 r2
−9 −9
12  10 − 12  10
Va = (9  109 ) + (9  109 )
0.06 0.04
Va = 1800 − 2700 = −900V

27
Potential at point b

1 qi
V= 
4 0 i ri
1 q1 1 q2
(b)Vb = +
4 0 r1 4 0 r2
−9 −9
12  10 9 − 12  10
Vb = (9  10 )
9
+ (9  10 )
0.04 0.14
Vb = 2700 − 770 = 1930V

28
Potential at point c

1 qi
V= 
4 0 i ri
1 q1 1 q2
(c)Vc = +
4 0 r1 4 0 r2
−9 −9
12  10 − 12  10
Vc = (9  109 ) + (9  109 )
0.13 0.13
Vc = 830 − 830 = 0V

29
 Potential Energy
⚫ Compute the potential energy associated
with a point charge of +4 nC if it is placed
at points a, b, and c.

30
Electric Potential of a Point
Charge
⚫ The electric potential in
the plane around a
single point charge is
shown
⚫ The red line shows the
1/r nature of the
potential

31
Electric Potential with Multiple
Charges
⚫ The electric potential due to several point
charges is the sum of the potentials due to
each individual charge
⚫ This is another example of the superposition
principle
⚫ The sum is the algebraic sum
qi
V = ke 
i ri

⚫ V = 0 at r = ∞

32
Potential Energy of Multiple
Charges
⚫ Consider two charged
particles
⚫ The potential energy of
the system is
q1q2
U = ke
r12
⚫ Use the active figure to
move the charge and see
the effect on the potential
energy of the system

PLAY 33
ACTIVE FIGURE
More About U of Multiple
Charges
⚫ If the two charges are the same sign, U is
positive and work must be done to bring the
charges together
⚫ If the two charges have opposite signs, U is
negative and work is done to keep the
charges apart

34
U with Multiple Charges, final
⚫ If there are more than
two charges, then find
U for each pair of
charges and add them
⚫ For three charges:
 q1q2 q1q3 q2q3 
U = ke  + + 
 12
r r13 r23 

⚫ The result is independent

of the order of the
charges

35
Example:
Figure 25-17 shows three point charges held in fixed
positions by forces that are not shown. What is the
electric potential energy U of this system of charges?
Assume that d = 12 cm and that

in which q = 150 nC.

Fig. 25-17 Sample Problem 25-6 . Three
charges are fixed at the vertices of an
equilateral triangle. What is the electric
potential energy of the configuration?

36
Example 25.3 The Electric Potential Due to
Two Point Charges

⚫ As shown in Figure 25.11a,

a charge q1 = 2 mC is
located at the origin and a
charge q2 = -6 mC is located
at (0,3.00)m.
⚫ (A) Find the total electric
potential due to these
charges at the point P,
whose coordinates are
(4.00,0) m.

37
Example 25.3 The Electric Potential Due to
Two Point Charges

⚫ ِConceptualize: Recognize that the 2.00 mC and -6.00 mC

charges are source charges and set up an electric field as
well as a potential at all points in space, including point P.
⚫ Categorize: The potential is evaluated using equation 25.12
for the system of two source charges:

q1 q2
VP = k e ( + )
r1 r2
−6 −6
2 . 00  10 − 6 . 00  10
VP = (8.99  109 )( + )
4.00 5.00
VP = −6.29  103V
38
Example 25.3 The Electric Potential Due to
Two Point Charges

⚫ (B) Find the change in

potential energy of the
system of two charges
plus a third charge q3 =
3.00 mC as the latter
charge moves from
infinity to point P (Fig
25.11b)

39
Example 25.3 The Electric Potential Due to
Two Point Charges

⚫ Assign Ui=0 for the system to the configuration in

which the charge q3 is at infinity. Use equation 25.2
to evaluate the potential energy for the configuration
in which the charge is at P: Uf = q3 VP
⚫ Substitute numerical values to evaluate  U.

U = U f − U i = q3VP − 0
−6 −2
U = (3.00  10 )( −6.29  10 ) = −1.89  10 J
3

40
Finding E From V

⚫ Assume, to start, that the field has only an x

component (dV=-E.dx)
dV
Ex = −
dx
⚫ Similar statements would apply to the y and z
components
⚫ Equipotential surfaces must always be
perpendicular to the electric field lines passing
through them

41
E and V for an Infinite Sheet of
Charge
⚫ The equipotential lines
are the dashed blue
lines
⚫ The electric field lines
are the brown lines
⚫ The equipotential lines
are everywhere
perpendicular to the
field lines

42
E and V for a Point Charge
⚫ The equipotential lines
are the dashed blue
lines
⚫ The electric field lines
are the brown lines
⚫ The equipotential lines
are everywhere
perpendicular to the
field lines

43
E and V for a Dipole
⚫ The equipotential lines
are the dashed blue
lines
⚫ The electric field lines
are the brown lines
⚫ The equipotential lines
are everywhere
perpendicular to the
field lines

44
Equipotentials
⚫ Point B is at a lower
potential than point A
⚫ Points B and C are at the
same potential
⚫ All points in a plane
perpendicular to a uniform
electric field are at the
same electric potential
⚫ The name equipotential
surface is given to any
surface consisting of a
continuous distribution of
points having the same
electric potential 45
Note: Field lines and equipotential surfaces
are always mutually perpendicular.

Equipotentials and conductors:

When all charges are at rest, the surface of a
conductor is always an equipotential surface.

Caution: don’t confuse equipotential surfaces with the

Gaussian surfaces. Gaussian surface only can be when
using Gauss law and we are free to choose its shape.
However, we are not free to choose the shape of the
equipotential surfaces; its shape is determined by the
charge distribution. 46
Electric Field from Potential,
General
⚫ In general, the electric potential is a function
of all three dimensions
⚫ Given V (x, y, z) you can find Ex, Ey and Ez as
partial derivatives
V V V
Ex = − Ey = − Ez = −
x y z

47
Example 25.4 The Electric
Potential Due to a Dipole
⚫ An electric dipole consists of two charges of
equal magnitude and opposite sign separated
by a distance 2a as shown in Figure 25.13.
The dipole is along the x axis and is centered
at the origin.
⚫ (A) Calculate the electric potential at point P
on the y axis.

48
Example 25.4 The Electric
Potential Due to a Dipole
⚫ Conceptualize:
Compare this situation
to that in part (B) of
example 23.5. It is the
same situation, but
here we are seeking
the electric potential
rather than the electric
field.

49
Example 25.4 The Electric
Potential Due to a Dipole
⚫ Categorize: Because the dipole consists of only two
source charges, the electric potential can be
evaluated by summing the potentials due to the
individual charges.
⚫ Use equation 25.12 to find VP.

qi q −q
VP = ke  = ke ( + )=0
i ri a +y
2 2
a +y
2 2

50
Example 25.4 The Electric
Potential Due to a Dipole
⚫ (B) Calculate the electric potential at point R on the
+ x axis.

qi −q q 2ke qa
VR = ke  = ke ( + )=− 2
i ri x−a x+a x −a 2

51
Example 25.4 The Electric
Potential Due to a Dipole
⚫ Calculate V and Ex at a point on the x axis far from
the dipole.

2ke qa 2ke qa
VR = lim (− 2 )− 2
x  a x −a 2
x
dV d 2ke qa
Ex = − = − (− 2 )
dx dx x
d 1 4ke qa
E x = 2ke qa ( 2 ) = − 3
dx x x
52
Electric Potential for a
Continuous Charge Distribution
⚫ Consider a small
charge element dq
⚫ Treat it as a point charge
⚫ The potential at some
point due to this charge
element is
dq
dV = ke
r

53
V for a Continuous Charge
Distribution, cont.
⚫ To find the total potential, you need to
integrate to include the contributions from all
the elements
dq
V = ke 
r
⚫ This value for V uses the reference of V = 0 when
P is infinitely far away from the charge
distributions

54
V From a Known E
⚫ If the electric field is already known from
other considerations, the potential can be
calculated using the original approach
B
V = −  E  ds
A

⚫ If the charge distribution has sufficient symmetry,

first find the field from Gauss’ Law and then find
the potential difference between any two points
⚫ Choose V = 0 at some convenient point
55
Problem-Solving Strategies
⚫ Conceptualize
⚫ Think about the individual charges or the charge
distribution
⚫ Imagine the type of potential that would be
created
⚫ Appeal to any symmetry in the arrangement of the
charges
⚫ Categorize
⚫ Group of individual charges or a continuous
distribution?
56
Problem-Solving Strategies, 2
⚫ Analyze
⚫ General
⚫ Scalar quantity, so no components
⚫ Use algebraic sum in the superposition principle
⚫ Only changes in electric potential are significant
⚫ Define V = 0 at a point infinitely far away from the
charges
▪ If the charge distribution extends to infinity, then choose
some other arbitrary point as a reference point

57
Problem-Solving Strategies, 3
⚫ Analyze, cont
⚫ If a group of individual charges is given
⚫ Use the superposition principle and the algebraic sum

⚫ If a continuous charge distribution is given

⚫ Use integrals for evaluating the total potential at some point

⚫ Each element of the charge distribution is treated as a point

charge
⚫ If the electric field is given
⚫ Start with the definition of the electric potential

⚫ Find the field from Gauss’ Law (or some other process) if
needed

58
Problem-Solving Strategies,
final
⚫ Finalize
⚫ Check to see if the expression for the electric
potential is consistent with your mental
representation
⚫ Does the final expression reflect any symmetry?
⚫ Image varying parameters to see if the
mathematical results change in a reasonable way

59
V for a Uniformly Charged
Ring
⚫ P is located on the
perpendicular central
axis of the uniformly
charged ring
⚫ The ring has a radius a
and a total charge Q

dq keQ
V = ke  =
r a2 + x 2

60
Example 25.5 Electric Potential
Due to a Uniformly Charged Ring
⚫ (A) Find an expression for the electric potential at a
point P located on the perpendicular central axis of
a uniformly charged ring of radius a and total charge
Q.

dq dq
V = ke  = ke 
r a +x
2 2
61
Example 25.5 Electric Potential
Due to a Uniformly Charged Ring
⚫ Noting that a and x are constant, bring a 2
+ x 2

in front of the integral sign and integrate over the

ring.

ke keQ
V=
a +x
2 2  dq =
a +x
2 2

62
Example 25.5 Electric Potential
Due to a Uniformly Charged Ring
⚫ (B) Find an expression for the magnitude of the
electric field at point P.

dV d 2
Ex = − = − keQ (a + x 2 ) −1 2
dx dx
1 2
E x = − keQ (− )( a + x 2 ) −3 2 (2 x)
2
ke x
Ex = 2 Q
(a + x )2 32
63
Problem 25.10 Page 715

64
Problems: 25.15, 25.16 Page
716

65