Unit 15 Electric Potential

15.1 Electric potential

15.2 Calculations of electric potential
15.3 How to compute the electric field from the potential?
15.4 Superposition
15.5 Equipotential surfaces
15.6 Capacitance, capacitors and their combination
15.7 Energy stored in a capacitor

15.1 Electric potential

i i

m0 +q0
  h   h
F = m0 g F = +q0 E
Gravitational
 Electric

Field g f Field E f
(a) (b)

(I) A comparison of work done due to gravitational and electrical fields

(a) Work done by a gravitational field g on a mass m0 (gravitational force is m0g)
W = −∆U = −(U f − U i ) = U i − U f = m0 gh

(b) Work done by an electric field E on a charge q0 (electric force is q0E)

W = F ⋅ h = q 0 Eh
Similar to the gravitational potential, we introduce the electric potential V, so that
W = −∆U = −q 0 (∆V ) = −q 0 (V f − Vi ) = q 0 (Vi − V f )

Note that, V: electric potential has the unit volt (V), where volt = 1J / C .
So V is not energy, but qV has the unit of energy, e.g. the commonly used unit of energy,
electron volt (eV) is defined as follows.
1 eV = (1.60×10−19 C)(1 V) = 1.60×10−19 J.

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Remarks:
1. An object moving on a slope due to the gravity

i N
m0 s

θ s
m0g h
f θ

mg

W = F ⋅ s = m0 g cosθ  s 
 
h

= m0 gh = m0 g ⋅ s

2. An object moving on a curved trajectory due to the gravity

i
∆s
h


∆s f

For each small segment ∆s , so small that it can be viewed as straight line,
Since dW = m0 g ⋅ ∆s (for a small line segment), we have the total work done by the field

W = lim ∑ m0 g ⋅ ∆s = ∫ m0 g ⋅ ds = m0 gh ,
f

∆s →0 i

which is independent of the path, no matter it is a straight line or a curved path.

f
(II) Electric field as a conservative force s  
s E
Now, a charge is moving under an electric field as shown in figure. θ
q i
The work done by the electric field is h
W = F ⋅ s = qE ⋅ s = qEs cosq = qEh
f
For a curved path:

∆W = F ⋅ ∆s = qE ⋅ ∆s q
E

∆s
f f f
= q ∫ E ⋅ d=
W s q ∫ E(ds cos θ)
= qE ∫ ds cos=
θ qEh
i i i i
That is the work done by an electric field is independent of the path it h

is moving, but the initial and final position of charge it is located.

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(III) Electric potential
According to the definition of electric potential:
W = −q (∆V ) = −q (V f − Vi ) , At infinity

 −E i
if we label the electric potential difference ∆V as V, we have E
f
V ≡ V f − Vi = − ∫ E ⋅ ds . Test charge
i
f
• Reference point for electric potential.
If we set the potential at infinity (i.e. position i) as zero, then
f
V f = − ∫ E ⋅ ds .
∞

Or, we can write the electric potential at f as

r
− ∫ E ⋅ ds
V =
∞

The above expression can be regarded as the work done of an external force –E to move a
unit positive test charge from infinity to position r. Alternatively, the electric potential is the
work done by the electric field E to move a unit positive test charge from position r to
∞
=
infinity. That is to say V ∫
r
E ⋅ ds . The SI unit of electric potential: volt, V. It is the same as

Nm/C.

Example
Find the change in electric potential energy, ∆U as a charge of (a) 2.20×10−6 C or (b)
−1.10×10−6 C moves from a point A to a point B, given that the change in electric potential
between these points is ∆V = VB – VA = 24.0 V.

Answer
(a) Solving ∆V =∆U / q0 for ∆U, we find

∆U = q0 ∆V = (2.20 × 10−6 C )(24.0 V ) = 5.28 × 10−5 J .

(b) −1.10 × 10−6 C , we obtain

Similarly, using q0 =

∆U = (−1.10 × 10−6 C )(24.0 V ) =

q0 ∆V = −2.64 × 10−5 J .

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15.2 Calculations of electric potential
• Point charge
Find the electric potential at point P due to point charge +q.
P
VP ≡ − ∫ E ⋅ dr
∞
Unit test charge moving
from infinity to P to

P −q P dr against the field by − E
VP = − ∫ Edr = ∫∞ r 2 
∞ 4πε 0 r

P E
q 1 q +q
= = P ∞
4πε 0 r ∞ 4πε 0 rP

Remark: r

It is generally stated that the potential V at a point distance r from point charge q is:
q
V =
4πε 0 r

As an example, the electric potential produced by a point charge of 6.80 × 10 −7 C at a

distance of 2.60 m is given by
q 1 q 6.80 × 10 −7 C
V = = ( ) = (8.99 × 10 9 N ⋅ m 2 / C 2 )( ) = 2350 V .
4πε 0 r 4πε 0 r 2.60 m
Thus, the potential at r = 2.60 m due to this point charge is 2350 V greater than the potential
at infinity.

15.3 How to compute the electric field from the potential?

There is a connection between the electric field and the
electric potential that is both straightforward and useful. To
obtain this relation, let’s apply the relation ∆V = −W / q 0 to

the case of a test charge that moves through a distance ∆s in

the direction of the electric field. The work done by the
electric field in this case is simply the electric force,
F = q 0 E , times the distance ∆s:

W = q 0 E∆s .
Therefore, the change in electric potential is

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 − W − (q 0 E∆s )
∆V = = = − E∆s .
q0 q0
∆V dV
Solving for the electric field, we find E = − , or in differential form E = − .
∆s ds
SI unit of electric field: volts/meter, V/m. It is the same as N/C.

Example
A uniform electric field is established by connecting the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor to
a 12-V battery. (a) If the plates are separated by 0.75 cm, what is the magnitude of electric
field in the capacitor? (b) A charge of +6.24×10−6 C moves from the positive plate to the
negative plate. Find the change in electric potential energy for this charge.
Answer

∆V
(a) The electric field can be calculated using E = − .
∆s
∆V (−12 V )
E=
− =
− =
1600 V / m .
∆s 0.0075 m
(b) The change in electric potential energy
∆U =∆
q V =6.24 × 10−6 C (−12.0 V ) =−7.5 × 10−5 J .

Remark:

In a certain region of space if the electric potential V is known to be a

constant, the electric field is zero. Since the electric field relates the
dV
electric potential V by E = − .
ds

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15.4 Superposition
Like many physical quantities, the electric potential obeys a simple superposition principle.
In particular:
The total electric potential due to two or more charges is equal to the algebraic sum of the
potentials due to each charge separately. In particular, positive and negative contributions
may cancel to give zero potential at a given location.

Example
Two charges +q and +2q, are held in place on the x axis at the locations x = –d and x = +d,
respectively. A third charge, +3q, is released from rest on the y axis at y = d. (a) Find the
electric potential at the initial location of the third charge. (b) Find the initial electric potential
energy of the third charge. (c) What is the kinetic energy of the third charge when it has
moved infinitely far away from the other two charges?

Answer
(a) The net electric potential at the initial position of the third charge:
(+ q) (+2q ) 3q
Vi = + = .
4πε 0 2d 4πε 0 2d 4πε 0 2d
(b) The initial electric potential energy of the third charge:
 3q  9q 2
Ui =
(+3q )Vi =
(3q )  =
 4πε 2d  4πε 2d
.
 0  0

(a) Energy conservation gives: K i + U i = K f + U f

9q 2
0+ =
K f + 0.
4πε 0 2d

9q 2
Hence, the final kinetic energy is given by K f = .
4πε 0 2d

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Example
A system consists of the charges –q at (–d, 0), +2q at (d, 0), and +3q at (0, d). What is the
total electric potential energy of the system?

Answer
(−q )(2q )
Step 1: Write down the electric potential energy between –q and +2q: .
4πε 0 2d

(−q )(3q )
Step 2: Write down the electric potential energy between –q and +3q: .
4πε 0 2d
(+2q )(+3q )
Step 3: Write down the electric potential energy between +2q and +3q: .
4πε 0 2d
The sum of the contributions from each term above gives the total electric potential energy:
3q 2 q2
=U − .
4πε 0 2d 4πε 0 d

15.5 Equipotential surfaces

• If we move an electron in the direction perpendicular to the E-field, then E ⋅ ds = 0 or
Vi − V f = 0 .

• At each point on the equipotential surface the electric field E is always along normal
direction to the surface.

2
• An isolated conductor V2 − V1 = − ∫ E ⋅ ds = 0 .
1

Once equilibrium is established, all points of an isolated

conductor have the same potential. Some examples on 1 2

equipotential surface are given as follows. E=0
Conductor

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15.6 Capacitance, capacitors and their combination

• Parallel plate capacitor

There is a potential difference V across the plates, each of area A when
charges +q and –q are stored on the inner surface of the plates:
A
V ∝ q or q = CV , where C is the capacitance and C = ε 0 . The S.I. unit
d
of capacitance: 1 Farad = 1 F = 1 C/V.

Example
A capacitor of 0.75 µF is charged to a voltage of 16 V. What is the magnitude of the charge
on each plate of the capacitor?

Answer
Using q = CV , we find q = (0.75 × 10−6 F )(16V ) =
CV = 1.2 × 10−5 C .

Example
A parallel-plate capacitor is connected to a battery that maintains a constant potential
difference V between the plates. If the plates are pulled away from each other, increasing
their separation, does the magnitude of the charge on the plates (a) increase, (b) decrease, or
(c) remain the same?

Answer
A
Since the capacitance is given by C = ε 0 , increasing the separation, d, decreases the
d
capacitance. With a smaller value of C, and a constant value for V, the charge Q = CV will
decrease.

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 C1
• Capacitors in parallel C

Capacitors are said to be connected in parallel, C2

when the same potential difference is applied to each. ⇒

C3
q1 = C1V q 2 = C2V q 3 = C3V
V
Effective capacitance:
Total charge q = q1 + q 2 + q 3 = (C1 + C2 + C3 )V
∴ C = C1 + C2 + C3 in parallel V

• Capacitors in series
V1 V2 V3
q q q
V1 = V2 = V3 = C1 C2 C3
C1 C2 C3
+q −q +q −q +q −q
1 1 1
V = V1 + V2 + V3 = ( + + )q
C1 C2 C3

1 1 1 1 V
= + + in series.
C C1 C2 C3

15.7 Energy stored in a capacitor

+q −q
Suppose a voltage V is across a capacitor C, the work done for the increment
of small charge dq is V

q
dW = Vdq = dq .
C
Therefore, to charge up a capacitor from zero charge to charge q, the amount of work which
needs to be done is
1 Q 1 Q2
=
W ∫=
dW
C ∫0
=
qdq
2 C
.

Hence, the amount of potential energy stored in the capacitor is the same as the energy stored
Q2 1 1
in C: =
U = CV=
2
QV .
2C 2 2

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Example

Q0 + V0
C2
C1 −
S

A capacitor C1 has a voltage V0 across it. Given that C1 = 8.0 µ F , C2 = 4.0 µ F ,

V0 = 120V and µ F = 10−6 F . When the switch S is closed, the charged capacitor C1 is
connected to an uncharged capacitor C2.
(1) What is the charge on each capacitor after switching S?
(2) What is total energy after switching S?

Answer
(1)
• Before switching on S : =
Q0 C=
1V0 960 µ C

1 1
Energy stored: U = Q0V0 =×(960 10−6 C )(120V ) =
0.058 J
2 2

+Q1 +Q2
• After we close switch S C1
V C2

Q= Q1 + Q2 −Q1 −Q2
0

In the steady state

Q1 = C1V (i), Q2 = C2V (ii)

(i)+(ii) (C1 + C2 )V = Q1 + Q2 = Q0

Q0 960 µ C
=
then V = = 80V
C1 + C2 12 µ F

Q1 = 640 µ C , Q2 = 320 µ C .
(2) The total energy stored
1 1 1
Q1V + Q2V = Q0V
2 2 2
1
= (960 × 10−6 )(80V ) =
0.038 J .
2
The energy is less than the original energy of 0.058J, the difference has been converted to
energy of some other form. (e.g. radiates as electromagnetic waves)

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