Physics-II

Lecture 3

Electric Potential
Bakranova Dina Igorevna
PhD, Assistant professor
 LECTURE 3
Electric Potential and Potential Difference
Potential Difference in a Uniform Electric Field
Electric Potential and Potential Energy Due to Point Charges
Obtaining the Value of the Electric Field from the Electric
Potential
Electric Potential Due to Continuous Charge Distributions
Electric Potential Due to a Charged Conductor
The Millikan Oil-Drop Experiment
Applications of Electrostatics
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

An equipotential surface, or equipotential, has the

same potential at any point on a given contour.
 Potential difference in a static
field:
When a charge q moves from
point A to point B, the potential
difference is independent of
path taken.

For infinitesimal displacement ds the work done by

the electric field on the charge is
Then the change in the potential energy of the
charge-field system is
Thus for finite displacement from A to B
the change in potential energy is

This line integral is not path-dependent,

as the electric force is conservative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKMQByFSLc - Electric Potential. The Organic Chemistry Tutor
The electric potential at any point in an electric field is

The potential difference V=VB - VA between two

points A and B in an electric field is defined as

q0 is a test charge.

In this definition, the infinitesimal displacement is

interpreted as the displacement between two points in
space rather than the displacement of a point charge
 Potential Properties
Just as with potential energy, only differences
in electric potential are meaningful.
Electric potential is a scalar characteristic
of an electric field, independent of any
charges that may be placed in the electric field.
Electric
potential energy depends on the
magnitude of the charge, interacting with the
field.
Ifwe perform work that changes the potential
energy of the system: W=∆U, the work done by an
external agent in moving a charge q through an
electric field at constant velocity is:
POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE IN A UNIFORM ELECTRIC FIELD
Consider a uniform electric
field directed along the
negative y axis

The negative sign indicates

that the electric potential at
point B is lower than at
point A; that is, VB>VA.
Electric field lines always point in the direction of decreasing
electric potential
 Now suppose a charge q moves from A to B.
We can calculate the change in the potential
energy of the charge–field system:

If a positive charge is released from rest in this

electric field, it experiences an electric force
qE in the direction of E (downward). Therefore,
it accelerates downward, gaining kinetic energy.
As the charged particle gains kinetic energy, the
electric potential energy of the charge–field
system decreases by equal amount.
It is conservation of mechanical energy in an isolated system.
Figure b shows an analogous situation with a gravitational field. When a particle with
mass m is released in a gravitational field, it accelerates downward, gaining kinetic
energy. At the same time, the gravitational potential energy of the object–field system
decreases. If q is negative, then ∆U is positive and the situation is reversed.
 QUICK QUIZ

 The labeled points in Figure are on a series of equipotential

surfaces associated with an electric field. Rank (from greatest
to least) the work done by the electric field on a positively
charged particle that moves from A to B, from B to C, from C to
D, and from D to E.
 QUICK QUIZ
 To rank the work done by the electric field on a
positively charged particle moving between
points A, B, C, D, and E, we need to recall the
formula for electric potential and work: W=−qΔV
 W is the work done by the field, q is the charge
of the particle, ΔV is the change in electric
potential between the points.
Since the charge is positive, the work done by the electric field is
positive when the particle moves from a higher to a lower potential.
Potential Differences:
•From A (9V) to B (9V): ΔV=0→ W=0 3
•From B (9V) to C (7V): ΔV=2→ Positive work 1
•From C (7V) to D (6V): ΔV=1→ Positive work 2
•From D (6V) to E (8V): ΔV=-2→Negative work 4
 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND POTENTIAL ENERGY DUE TO POINT CHARGES
To find the electric potential at a point located
a distance r from the charge
At any point in space, the electric field due to
the point charge is
Therefore,

hence, the expression for the potential

difference becomes

This latter integral, which is the work done by the electric force
on the charge q0, shows that the electric force is conservative
We define a field that is related to a conservative
force as a conservative field.
It is customary to choose the reference of electric
potential for a point charge to be V=0 at rA=∞.
Thus, the electric potential due to a point charge
at any distance r from the charge is

For a group of point charges,

we can write the total
electric potential at P as
We know that W=∆U. Therefore, the electric potential
energy of a pair of point charges can be found as follows:

If the system consists of more than two charged particles,

we can obtain the total potential energy of
the system by calculating U for every pair of
charges and summing the terms algebraically.
The total potential energy of the system of
three charges:
EXAMPLE. THE ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO TWO POINT CHARGES
As shown in Figure a, a charge q1=2.00 μC is located at
the origin and a charge q2=-6.00 μ C is located at 3 m.
 (A) Find the total electric potential due to these charges at
the point P, whose coordinates are 4 m.
 (B) Find the change in potential energy of the system of two
charges plus a third charge q3=3.00 μC as the latter charge
moves from infinity to point P (Figure b).
(A) Solution.
 Conceptualize. Recognize first that the 2 μC and -6 μC 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 an equation
developed in this chapter, so we categorize this example as a
substitution problem.

 Use Equation for the system

of two source charges:

 Substitute numerical values:

(B) Solution.
AssignUi=0 for the system to the initial configuration in
which the charge q3 is at infinity. Use Equation to
evaluate the potential energy for the configuration in
which the charge is at P:

Substitute numerical values to evaluate ∆U :

As the potential energy of the system has decreased, an

external agent has to do positive work to remove the
charge q3 from point P back to infinity.
OBTAINING THE VALUE OF THE ELECTRIC FIELD FROM THE ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
 The potential difference dV between two points a distance
ds apart can be expressed as
 Ifthe electric field has only one component Ex, then
 And

 Experimentally, electric potential and position can be measured

easily with a voltmeter (a device for measuring potential difference)
and a meterstick. Consequently, an electric field can be determined
by measuring the electric potential at several positions in the field
and making a graph of the results.
 The slope of a graph of V versus x at a given point provides the
magnitude of the electric field at that point.
 Equipotential surfaces (the dashed blue lines are intersections of
these surfaces with the page) and electric field lines. In all cases,
the equipotential surfaces are perpendicular to the electric field
lines at every point
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO CONTINUOUS CHARGE DISTRIBUTIONS
 We can find the potential due to a continuous distribution of
charge using two different methods:
1) If the charge distribution is known, we consider the potential
due to a small charge element dq, treating this element as a
point charge, the electric potential dV at some point P due to
the charge element dq is
Because each element is, in general, a different distance from
point P and ke is constant, we can express V as
2) The second method for calculating electric potential is used
when the electric field is known from Gauss’s law. For
symmetric charge distributions, we find E using Gauss’s law,
then substitute it into to determine the
potential difference ΔV, setting V=0 at a convenient point.
EXAMPLE. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A UNIFORMLY CHARGED DISK
A uniformly charged disk has radius R and surface charge
density σ. Find the electric potential at a point P along the
perpendicular central axis of the disk.
Solution. Conceptualize. Because the disk is
continuous, we evaluate the potential due to a
continuous charge distribution rather than a group
of individual charges.
Analyze. Find the amount of charge dq on a ring
of radius r and width dr as shown in Figure

the potential due to the ring:

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A CHARGED CONDUCTOR
 We found that when a solid conductor in equilibrium carries a
net charge, the charge resides on the conductor’s outer surface.
Furthermore, the electric field just outside the conductor is
perpendicular to the surface and the field inside is zero.
 Consider two points A and B on the surface
of a charged conductor as shown in Figure.
Along a surface path connecting these points,
E is always perpendicular to the displacement
ds; therefore, And the potential
difference between A and B is necessarily
zero: An arbitrarily shaped conductor carrying a positive charge. If the
conductor is in electrostatic equilibrium, all the charge at the surface,
E=0 inside the conductor, the direction of E outside the conductor is
perpendicular to the surface. The electric potential is constant inside
the conductor and is equal to the potential at the surface.
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A CHARGED CONDUCTOR

 This result applies to any two points on the surface.

Therefore, V is constant everywhere on the surface
of a charged conductor in equilibrium. That is,
FROM LECTURE-2 CONDUCTORS IN ELECTROSTATIC EQUILIBRIUM
A conductor in electrostatic equilibrium has the
following properties:
1.The electric field is zero everywhere inside the conductor.
2.If the conductor is isolated and carries a charge, the charge
resides on its surface.
3.The electric field at a point outside a charged conductor is
perpendicular to the surface of the conductor and has a
magnitude ϭ/ϵ0, where ϭ is the surface charge density.
4.On an irregularly shaped conductor, the surface charge
density is greatest at locations where the radius of
curvature of the surface is smallest.
 No work is required to move a charge within a
charged conductor due to constant potential.
 For a metal sphere of radius R and charge Q, the
electric field outside is keQ/r2 and the potential is
keQ/r.
 At the surface, the potential is keQ/R, and it remains
the same throughout the sphere.
The surface charge density is uniform for a
spherical conductor but higher near sharp
points for nonspherical conductors, leading
to stronger electric fields at those points.
(a) The excess charge on a
 Asthe electric field outside the conductor is conducting sphere R is
proportional to the ϭ, E is large near convex points distributed on its surface. (b)
V vs distance r from the
having small radii of curvature and reaches very center of the charged
high values at sharp points. conducting sphere. (c) E vs r.
 EXAMPLE. TWO CONNECTED CHARGED SPHERES

Two spherical conductors of radii r1 and r2

are separated by a distance much greater
than the radius of either sphere. The
spheres are connected by a conducting
wire. The charges on the spheres in
equilibrium are q1 and q2, respectively,
and they are uniformly charged. Find the
ratio of the magnitudes of the electric
fields at the surfaces of the spheres.
 EXAMPLE. TWO CONNECTED CHARGED SPHERES
(A) Solution.
 Conceptualize. Imagine the spheres are much
farther apart than shown in Figure. Because
they are so far apart, the field of one does not
affect the charge distribution on the other. The
conducting wire between them ensures that
both spheres have the same electric potential.
 Categorize. Because the spheres are so far
apart, we model the charge distribution on
them as spherically symmetric, and we can
model the field and potential outside the
spheres to be that due to point charges.
EXAMPLE. TWO CONNECTED CHARGED SPHERES
 CORONA DISCHARGE
 Corona discharge occurs near high-voltage conductors when the
electric field becomes strong enough to ionize air molecules,
accelerating free electrons and creating a visible glow due to
electron recombination. It is more prominent near sharp edges
or points on conductors due to higher field concentrations.

 Used in the power industry to detect faults

like broken insulators or conductor strands.
 Difficult to observe due to weak visible
radiation and interference from sunlight.
 Advanced dual-spectrum cameras (UV and
visible light) help identify corona discharge
by isolating wavelengths with minimal solar
interference.
THE MILLIKAN OIL-DROP EXPERIMENT

Robert Andrews Millikan (1868–1953) was an

American physicist who received the Nobel Prize in
Physics in 1923 for his measurement of the elementary
charge and for his work on the photoelectric effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwnjYERS66U
 APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROSTATICS
•Lightning Rods: Protect structures by directing lightning strikes safely to
the ground.
•Electrostatic Precipitators: Remove pollutants from industrial emissions
using charged plates to attract particles.
•Xerography: Utilized in photocopiers and laser printers, this process
employs electrostatic charges to transfer toner onto paper.
•Automotive Painting: Electrostatically charged paint particles ensure a
uniform and efficient coating on vehicle surfaces.
•Electrostatic Generators: Devices like the Van de Graaff generator produce
high voltages for research and educational purposes.
•Field-Ion Microscopes: Utilize electrostatic principles to image individual
atoms by ionizing them in a strong electric field.
•Ion-Drive Rocket Engines: Employ electrostatic forces to accelerate ions,
providing efficient propulsion for spacecraft.
 THE VAN DE GRAAFF GENERATOR
Construction and Operation.
•Hollow Metal Sphere serves as the terminal where
charge accumulates.
• Insulating Column supports the sphere and houses
the moving belt system.
•Moving Belt transports electric charge from the base
to the sphere.
•Combs or Brushes located at both ends of the belt to
facilitate charge transfer.
•Working Principle.
A motor drives the belt, causing it to move continuously. At the base, the belt
passes by a comb connected to a high-voltage power supply, imparting a charge to
the belt through electrostatic induction. As the belt ascends, it carries the charge to
the sphere. Upon reaching the top, the charge is transferred to the sphere via
another comb, leading to the accumulation of high voltage on the sphere's surface.
 THE VAN DE GRAAFF GENERATOR
•The Van de Graaff generator, invented by physicist Robert J. Van
de Graaff in 1929, is an electrostatic machine designed to
generate high voltages. It operates by transferring electric charge
to a large metal sphere using a moving belt, resulting in the
accumulation of significant electric potential.
Applications
•Educational Demonstrations. Commonly used in physics
classrooms to illustrate principles of electrostatics, such as
electric fields and potential.
•Particle Accelerators: Early models utilized Van de Graaff
generators to accelerate particles for nuclear physics research.
•Medical Applications: Employed in certain types of radiation
therapy for cancer treatment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y20lKZB5BR0
Safety Considerations. While capable of generating
voltages exceeding 100,000 volts, the Van de Graaff
generator produces very low currents, making it
generally safe for educational use. However, caution
is advised to prevent electrical shocks or damage to
sensitive electronic devices nearby.
Visual Demonstrations. A notable demonstration involves a person
placing their hands on the charged sphere, resulting in their hair
standing on end due to the repulsive forces between like charges
accumulating on the hair strands. The Van de Graaff generator
remains a valuable tool in both educational and research settings,
providing tangible demonstrations of electrostatic principles and
contributing to advancements in various scientific fields.
 UNITS IN SI

Charge Q C (Coulomb)
Electric potential V J/C=V (volt)
Electric field E N/C=V/m
the electron volt is related to the joule as
follows:
 MAIN TERMS
electrostatics electric potential
Electroscope energy
potential electric work
difference potential
potential gradient volt
electronvolt equipotential lines
 CONTROL QUESTIONS
1. What is the relationship between electric potential and potential
difference? How is potential difference defined in terms of work done?
2. How is the potential difference between two points related to the electric
field and the distance between the points in a uniform electric field?
3. What is the expression for the electric potential due to a point charge at a
distance �r from the charge?
4. How can the electric field be determined from the gradient of the electric
potential?
5. What is the general approach to finding the electric potential due to a
continuous charge distribution?
6. Why is the electric potential constant inside and on the surface of a
charged conductor?
7. What was the primary objective of the Millikan oil-drop experiment, and
how was the elementary charge determined?
8. Name two practical applications of electrostatics and briefly describe how
they work.