UNIT 3

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
n Outline:
n (a) Potential due to a point charge
n (b) Potential due to a dipole
n (c) Electric Potential energy

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 Definition of Electric Potential
n Electric potential V at a point in an electric
field is defined as the potential energy per
unit charge. i.e. V = U
q

n Similarly, electric potential can be defined as

the work done per unit charge in moving the
charge from infinity to the point.
W∞
i.e. V = −
q

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 Points to Note
1) Potential is a scalar quantity, and not a vector
with S.I. unit Joule per Coulomb [JC-1 or
Volt(V)].
2) The potential can be positive, negative or zero
depending on the signs and magnitude of q and
W∞
3) The potential energy per unit charge (potential) is
independent of the charge q of the particle we
use.
4) The potential is characteristic only of the electric
field we are investigating.

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 Electric Potential Difference
n The electric potential difference ΔV between
any two points i and f in an electric field is
equal to the difference in potential energy per
unit charge between the two points.
U f U i ΔU
i.e. ΔV = V f − Vi = − =
q q q
W
Thus, we have ΔV = V f − Vi = −
q
n Therefore, potential difference between two
points is the negative of the work done by
the electrostatic force to move a unit charge
from one point to the other in the field.
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Potential due to a Point Charge

r Δx P E
q q0 ∞
x

Consider a unit positive test charge q0 moved from infinity to

a point at a distance x in the electric field of the charge q.

Then electric force F on the test charge is given by

F = q0E ----- (1)

Thus, F = E since q0 is a unit charge.

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n Then the work done ΔW in moving the unit charge
through a small distance Δx toward the charge is
given by ΔW = F(-Δx) .
i.e. dW = - Fdx = - Edx
r r
⇒ W = − ∫ Fdx = − ∫ Edx
∞ ∞

q
But E =
4πε 0 x 2
r
qr q ⎡ 1⎤ q ⎡ 1 ⎛ 1 ⎞⎤
⇒ W = −∫ 2
dx = − ⎢− x ⎥ = − 4πε ⎢− r − ⎜ − ∞ ⎟⎥
∞ 4πε x
0 4πε 0 ⎣ ⎦∞ 0 ⎣ ⎝ ⎠⎦

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n But the potential, V is equal to the work done
per unit test charge, W/q0.

1 q
Therefore, V =
4πε 0 r

NB:
1. A positively charged particle produces a
positive electric potential.

2. A negatively charged particle produces a

negative electric potential.
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Positive Charge Potential
q The plot gives the
variation of potential
with respect to distance
from a single point
charge when the
charge, Q is positive.

q The potential is
positive, but
decreases with
increase in distance.

q Thus, potential is
large, but decreases
toward zero at very
large distances.
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Negative Charge Potential
q The plot gives the
variation of potential with
respect to distance from
a single point charge
when the charge, Q is
negative.

q Thus the potential is

negative, but increases
with increase in distance.

q Thus, potential
increases toward zero
at very large distances.
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Potential Variation of Sphere(radius r0)
q For sphere the potential
is the same from the
centre to the surface.

q For points inside the

conducting sphere, E = 0
since between the
surface and any point
within the conductor
gives zero change in
potential.

q Thus, V is constant
within the conductor.

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Potential due to a Group of Point Charges

P
r1

+q1 r2
r3 rn

+q2
+q3 +qn

n For a group of point charges in an array the

net potential Vn is calculated from the
superposition principle.
n i.e. VP = V1 + V2 + V3 + ... + Vn
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 Thus, V = q1 q2 q3 qn
n
P + + + ... +
4πε 0 r1 4πε 0 r2 4πε 0 r3 4πε 0 rn

1 ⎡ q1 q 2 q3 qn ⎤
⇒ VP = ⎢ + + + ... + ⎥
4πε 0 ⎣ r1 r2 r3 rn ⎦

1 qi n
⇒ VP = ∑
4πε 0 i =1 ri
n
1 n qi
∴ VP = ∑Vi = ∑
i =1 4πε 0 i =1 ri

where qi is the ith charge, which may be positive or

negative and ri is the distance of a given point from
the ith charge .
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n The expression is an algebraic sum and not a
vector sum since potential is scalar.

n The orientation of charges do not matter.

Example 1:
Four charges +5 µC, -3 µC, +8 µC and -6 µC
are located at the corners of rectangle of
sides 30 cm and 40 cm. Determine the
potential due to the four charges at the
centre of the rectangle.
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 Potential Difference Formula

§ Assume the points a and

b lie on a line of force at
respective distances ra
and rb from the charge
+Q.

§ Force on a unit charge

between a and b at a
distance r from Q in free
space is given by
Qx1
F =
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4πε 0 r 2 14
n Over the short distance dl (=dr), the work done by
the force F is given by dW = F dl (i.e.dW=Fdr) .

n For the whole distance ab, the work done by the

force on the unit charge is given by
b r =b b Q Q b 1
∫ dW = ∫ Fdr = ∫ 2
dr = ∫ 2
dr
a r =a a 4πε 0 r 4πε 0 a r

n Integrating with respect to r, we have

b
⎡ Q ⎤
W = −⎢ ⎥
⎣ 4πε 0 r ⎦ a
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 Q Q
⇒W = −
4πε 0 a 4πε 0 b

But work done per unit charge W = Vab

Q ⎛1 1⎞
Therefore, Vab = ⎜ − ⎟
4πε 0 ⎝ a b ⎠
This gives the work done per coulomb, which is the
potential difference Vab between a and b.

n Example 2: Determine the potential difference between

points 5 cm and 35 cm in the field of a charge +8 µC in
free space.
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 Potential Gradient and Intensity

Let A and B be two points on a line of force, so close that the electric field
intensity between them is constant (invariant) and equal to E.

If V is the potential at A, V+ΔV the potential at B at respective distances x

and x+Δx from Q, then VAB = Potential difference between A and B.

⇒ VAB = VA – VB = V – (V+ΔV)

⇒ VAB = – ΔV ------- (1)

But the work done in taking a unit charge from B to A is WB→ A = EΔx

Also work done per unit charge is equal to the p.d.(i.e.WB→ A = VAB).
03/10/16 17
 Therefore VAB = EΔx ------ (2)
n From equations (1) and (2), we have
EΔx = – ΔV
ΔV
⇒E=−
Δx
n In the limit as Δx → 0, we have
dV
E=− = potential gradient
dx
i.e. The rate at which the potential varies with respect
to distance.

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 Points to Note
1. The expression shows that the strength of the
electric field is equal to the negative of the
potential gradient.

2. This definition of potential gradient makes it

convenient for the electric field, E to have a second
derived unit as Volts per metre (Vm-1).

3. For two charged parallel plates of opposite charge

signs at a close separation, d and potential
difference, V between them, the electric field E
between them is given by E=V/d.
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 The Electronvolt (eV)
n When dealing with energies of electrons,
molecules or atoms, the joule appears to be a
very large unit of energy.

n For this reason alternative unit of energy

called the Electronvolt (eV) is used.

n Electronvolt is defined as the energy gained

by an electron accelerated through a
potential difference of one volt (1V).
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n Therefore, the electronvolt is the energy that can
be acquired by a particle, which carries a charge of
the magnitude of the charge on the electron (q=e)
and moved through a potential difference of 1V.

n But e = 1.6x10-19 C and change in potential energy

is qV or eV= (1.6x10-19Cx1.0V) J

n Hence 1eV = 1.6x10-19 J.

n NB: The electronvolt is not SI unit, however it is

useful in stating the energies of atoms, molecules
and elementary particles.
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 Example 3
n Array of 3 charges
y Three charges are
at the corners of an
-Q +Q
equilateral triangle
of side 40 cm.
Determine the
potential at the
-3Q x midpoint of each of
the sides. Take Q =
2 µC.

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 Equipotential Surfaces/Lines
n An equipotential surface is a surface in an electric
field on which all points are at the same potential.

n Electric potential can be represented by drawing

equipotential lines or represented in three
dimension by equipotential surfaces.

n The potential difference between any two points

on an equipotential surface is zero, so that no work
is needed to move a charge from one point to the
other on an equipotential surface.

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 n Here we have
uniform electric
field lines which
are parallel to each
other.

n Equipotential lines
are always
perpendicular to
lines of electric
field.
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 n This shows electric
field lines of a point
charge, which are
concentric on
equipotential surfaces
(dashed lines).

n Concentric
equipotential surfaces
are always
perpendicular to
electric field lines.
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 n Equipotential
surfaces for two
equal but
oppositely charged
particles (electric
dipole).

n The equipotential
lines are
perpendicular to
electric field lines.
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 Potential due to a Dipole

θ is measured
from the dipole
axis.

Consider an electric dipole

with distance, d between
charges such that the
positive charge is at a
distance r(+) from P and the
negative charge at distance
r(-) from P
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n At P, the positive point charge sets up potential V(+)
and the negative point charge sets up potential V(-).

n Then the resultant potential at P is given by

2
1 ⎡ q − q⎤
VP = ∑Vi = V( + ) + V( −) = ⎢ + ⎥
i =1 4πε 0 ⎢⎣ r( + ) r( −) ⎥⎦

q⎡ r( − ) − r( + ) ⎤
⇒ VP = ⎢ ⎥
4πε 0 ⎢⎣ r( + ) r( − ) ⎥⎦

n But the point P is relatively far from the dipole such

that r>>d, so that r(+) and r(-) can be assumed to be
parallel (i.e. r(+) = r(-) ).
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n Then under these conditions, we have
r( −) r( +) ≈ r 2 and (r( −) − r( +) ) ≈ d cosθ

n Substituting for r( − ) r( + ) and (r( − ) − r( + ) ) in the

equation for VP we have
q d cosθ
VP = NB: For points near the +ve
4πε 0 r 2 charge Vp is positive; and
for points near the –ve
1 p cosθ
∴VP = charge Vp is negative.
4πε 0 r2
n Where p = qd = magnitude of the electric dipole
moment p

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03/10/16 30
Example 4
Calculate the electric potential due to a dipole
whose dipole moment is 4.8x10-30 Cm at a point
1.1x10-9 m away if this point is
(a) along the axis of the dipole nearer the
positive charge; (Ans:3.57x10-2 V)
(b) 450 above the axis but nearer the positive
charge; (Ans:2.52x10-2 V)
(c) 450 above the axis but nearer the negative
charge. (Ans:-2.52x10-2 V)

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 Electric Potential Energy
n Electric potential energy of a system of fixed point
charges is defined as the work done by an
external agent in bringing each charge from an
infinite distance.
n q1(+) r (+)q2
n When we bring a charge q1 from infinity and put it
in place it sets up a potential V around it.

n However, when we bring a second charge q2 from

infinity and put it in place at a distance r from q1
work must be done. The work done W = q2V.

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 where V is the potential that has been set up by q1
at the point where q2 is placed.

1 q1
The potential set up by q1 at r is V =
4πε 0 r

q1q 2
1
⇒W =
4πε 0 r
But the work done, W is the electric potential energy,
U of the pair of point charges q1 and q2.

1 q1q2
∴ U = q2V =
4πε 0 r
03/10/16 33
 Points to Note
1. If the charges have the same sign (like charges)
work done is positive and we have positive
potential energy. Thus, external agent must push
them together against their mutual repulsion.

2. If the charges have opposite signs (unlike

charges) work done is negative and we have
negative potential energy. Thus, external agent
must work against their mutual attraction.

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 Example 5
(a) A point charge Q creates an electric
potential of +125 V at a distance of 15 cm.
What is Q?
(b) What is the electric potential at a distance
of 2.5x10-15 m away from a proton?
(c) What is the electric potential energy of a
system that consists of two protons 2.5x10-15
m apart, as might occur inside a typical
nucleus?

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System of Charges
n Consider a system of
three point charges
n Array of charges Q1, Q2 and Q3 at
separation r from
-Q1 r +Q2 each other as shown.

r r
n The total potential
energy U of the three
+Q3 charge system is the
sum of the potential
Take Q and r as 2 µC and energies associated
20 cm respectively. with the three pairs of
charges.
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 U = U12 + U13 + U23
1 (−Q1 )(+Q2 ) 1 (−Q1 )(+Q3 ) 1 (+Q2 )(+Q3 )
⇒U = + +
4πε 0 r 4πε 0 r 4πε 0 r

1
= [(−Q1 )(+Q2 ) + (−Q1 )(+Q3 ) + (+Q2 )(+Q3 )]
4πε 0 r

If Q1 = -Q, Q2 = +2Q and Q3 = +4Q, we have

1
= [(−Q)(+2Q) + (−Q)(+4Q) + (+2Q)(+4Q)]
4πε 0 r

+ 2Q 2 You substitute for the

∴U =
4πε 0 r values of Q and r to
calculate U.
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