ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

At the end of this chapter, the student should able to;

i) Define electric potential at a point in space and derive the relation between electric potential
and electric field intensity

ii) Calculate the electric potential for simple charge distributions and hence obtain the
corresponding electric field intensity

iii) Explain the concept if equipotential surface and their relation to electric field lines and sketch
them for simple charge distribution.

iv) Calculate the torque and energy if an electric field dipole placed in an external uniform
electric field.

Work done to move a test charge at a constant speed in an electric field

Electric potential

Consider the electric field of a fixed point charge +Q.

P2 dl Fe

Qt
r2 Ft
r

+Q
r1
P1

Suppose a test charge Qt is moved with uniform speed from point P 1 to point P2 in the electric
field of charge Q . The charge Q exerts a force Fe on Qt. In order to move Qt from point Pt to
point P2 with uniform speed, an external agent must apply a force Ft equal and opposite to Fe at
each stage. Hence the work done required to move the test charge Q t constant speed from P1 to
P2 is
𝑃 𝑃
𝑊12 = ∫𝑃 2 𝐹𝑡 𝑑𝑙 = − ∫𝑃 2 𝐹𝑒 𝑑𝑙
1 1

But 𝐹𝑒 = 𝑄𝑡 𝐸 where E is the electric field intensity of a point charge

Hence
𝑃 𝑃 𝑃
𝑊12 = ∫𝑃 2 𝐹𝑒 𝑑𝑙 = − ∫𝑃 2 𝑄𝑡 𝐸. 𝑑𝑙 = −𝑄𝑡 ∫𝑃 2 𝐸. 𝑑𝑙
1 1 1

𝑄
But 𝐸 = 4𝜋𝜀 2 𝒓
0𝑟

r 𝑄
𝑊12 = −𝑄𝑡 ∫𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜀 2 𝒓. 𝑑𝑙
1 0𝑟

𝑡 𝑄𝑄2 r 1
𝑊12 = − 4𝜋𝜀 ∫𝑟1 𝑟 2 𝒓. 𝑑𝑙
0

𝑡 𝑄𝑄2 r 1
𝑊12 = − 4𝜋𝜀 ∫𝑟1 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟
0

𝑡 𝑄𝑄 −1 𝑟2
𝑊12 = − 4𝜋𝜀 [ ]
𝑟 0 𝑟1

𝑡𝑄𝑄 1 1
𝑊12 = 4𝜋𝜀 [ − ]
𝑟 𝑟
0 2 1

N0TE. 𝑑𝑙 = 𝒓𝑑𝑟 + ∅𝑟𝑑∅ + 𝒛𝑑𝑧

𝒓. 𝒅𝒍 = (𝒓 + 𝟎 + 𝟎). (𝒓𝑑𝑟 + 0 + 0) = 𝒓. 𝒓𝑑𝑟 = 𝑑𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝒓. 𝒓 = 𝟏

Suppose the test charge is moved back to P1 along an arbitrary path as shown below.

Consider the electric field of a fixed point charge +Q.

P2 dl Fe

Qt
r2 Ft
r c

+Q
r1
P1

Work done to move It from P2 to P1

𝑃 𝑄
𝑊21 = − ∫𝑃 1 4𝜋𝜀𝑡 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑙
2 0

𝑄
But 𝐸 = 4𝜋𝜀 2 𝒓
0𝑟
 r 𝑄
𝑊21 = −𝑄𝑡 ∫𝑟 1 4𝜋𝜀 2 𝒓. 𝑑𝑙
2 0𝑟

𝑄𝑡 𝑄 r2 1
𝑊21 = − ∫ 𝒓. 𝑑𝑙
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 𝑟 2

𝑡 𝑄𝑄 1 r 1
𝑊21 = − 4𝜋𝜀 ∫𝑟2 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟
0

𝑡 𝑄𝑄 −1 𝑟1
𝑊21 = − 4𝜋𝜀 [ ]
𝑟 0 𝑟2

𝑡 𝑄𝑄 1 1
𝑊21 = 4𝜋𝜀 [ − ]
𝑟0𝑟 1 2

Total work done = 𝑊𝟏𝟐 + 𝑊21

𝑄𝑡 𝑄 1 1 𝑄𝑡 𝑄 1 1
[ − ]+ [ − ]=0
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2 𝑟1 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 𝑟2

Hence Total work done to move a test charge Qt with uniform speed a long closed path in the
electric field of a point charge is zero.

ie ∮ 𝑄. 𝐸𝑑𝑙 = 0

This shows that the work done to move a charge with uniform speed in an electrostatic field is
independent of the path taken. It only depends on the end points of the path. We say that the
electrostatic force field is conservative.

The electrostatic field intensity E can be expressed as the gradient of scalar function.

𝑬 = −∇𝑉 Gradient of a scalar

𝑉- is a scalar quantity

Cartesian coordinate

𝑬 = −∇𝑉
𝑑𝑉 𝒅𝑽 𝒅𝑽 𝑑 𝒅 𝒅
= − 𝑑𝑥 𝒊 − 𝒅𝒚 𝒋 − 𝒅𝒛 𝒌 , since ∇= 𝑑𝑥 𝒊 − 𝒅𝒚 𝒋 − 𝒅𝒛 𝒌

The function 𝑉 = 𝑉 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) is called the electric potential at the point (x, y, z).

Example

Given that the electric potential at a point is 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 3 + 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 . Find E(x,y,z), hence
find E(1,3,2)

Recall 𝑬 = −∇𝑉
 𝑑𝑣𝑥 𝑑𝑣𝑦 𝑑𝑣𝑧
= 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐸𝑧 = − 𝒊− 𝒋− 𝒌
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
=− (𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 3 + 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 )𝒊 − (𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 3 + 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 )𝒋 − (𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 3 + 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 )𝒌
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧

= −(2𝑥𝑦𝑧 3 + 𝑦 2 𝑧 2 )𝒊 − (𝑥 2 𝑧 3 + 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 2 )𝒋 − (3𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧)𝒌

At E(1,3,2)

𝐸 (1,3,2) = (−84𝒊 − 32𝒋 − 72𝒌)𝑁 −1

From

𝑬 = −∇𝑉
𝑑𝑣
𝑬 = − 𝑑𝑙

𝑬𝑑𝑙 = −𝑑𝑣
2 2 𝑣
− ∫1 𝐸. 𝑑𝑙 = − ∫1 𝑑𝑣 = −[𝑉 ]𝑣21 = 𝑣2 − 𝑣1

2
𝑣2 − 𝑣1 = − ∫1 𝑬. 𝑑𝑙

This equation defines the electric potential difference between two points 1 and 2

When its desired to speak of electric potential at a point, we must estimate or assign zero
potential at a point an infinite distance away. Then electric potential at a point P in a region of
space is
𝑝
𝑣𝑝 = − ∫ 𝑬. 𝑑𝑙
∞

The physical significance of electric potential is deduced from considering the work done W12 to
move a test charge with uniform speed from a point (1) to another point (2) in an electric field.

(2)

Fa

dl Qt

Fe

(1)
 2 2
𝑊12 = ∫1 𝐹𝑎 𝑑𝑙 = ∫1 𝐹𝑒 𝑑𝑙

2
𝑊12 = −𝑄𝑡 ∫1 𝑬. 𝑑𝑙 , Since 𝐹𝑒 = 𝑄𝑡 𝐸

𝑊12 2
= − ∫1 𝑬. 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑣2 − 𝑣1
𝑄𝑡

Hence the work done to move 1C of charge from point (1) to point (2) with uniform speed
against the electrostatic field is the electric potential difference points.

The electric potential at a point in space is the work done required to move 1C of charge
from infinity to a point against electrostatic field

SI units of electric potential

Volts(S)

The quantity𝑈2 = 𝑈1 = 𝑄(𝑉2 = 𝑉1 ).is the electric potential energy between points (1) and (2)

Calculation of electric potential

Electric potential of a point charge

Consider a point charge of 1C moved from P1 to point P2 in the electric field of a point charge Q
in free space.

P2

r2

+Q E

r1

P1
The work done is
𝑝
𝑣2 − 𝑣1 = − ∫𝑝 2 𝑬. 𝑑𝑙
1

𝑄
But 𝐸 = 𝒓
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2

r 𝑄
𝑊12 = − ∫𝑟 2 𝒓. 𝑑𝑙
1 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2

𝑄 r2 1
𝑣2 − 𝑣1 = − ∫𝑟 𝒓. 𝑑𝑙
4𝜋𝜀0 1 𝑟2

𝑄 r2 1
=− ∫𝑟 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝜀0 1 𝑟2

𝑄 −1 𝑟2
=− [ ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 𝑟1

𝑄 1 1
𝑣2 − 𝑣1 = [ − ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2 𝑟1

To obtain the electric potential at P2, set 𝑉1 = 0 𝑎𝑡 𝑟1 = ∞

𝑄
Hence 𝑣2 = 4𝜋𝜀
0 𝑟2

Thus the electric potential at a point, a distance r from a point in free space is
𝑸
𝑽(𝒓) = 𝟒𝝅𝜺
𝟎𝒓

Electric potential of a system of point charges

Superposition principle

By the superposition principle, the electric field intensity at a point due to charges
Q1,Q2………….Qn is

𝐸 = 𝐸1 + 𝐸2 + ⋯ … . +𝐸𝑛 , Hence

𝑑𝑣 = −𝐸. 𝑑𝑙 = −𝐸1 . 𝑑𝑙 = −𝐸2 𝑑𝑙 … − 𝐸𝑛 𝑑𝑙

= 𝑑𝑣1 + 𝑑𝑣2 + ⋯ + 𝑑𝑣𝑛

The electric potential at appoint is

𝑝
𝑣 = − ∫∞ 𝑬. 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑣1 + 𝑣2 + ⋯ + 𝑣𝑛
 𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑄𝑛
= + + ⋯+
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟𝑛

Electric potential of a continuous distribution of charge

a) Consider a continuous distribution of charge of density ρCm-3

V r p

dv

𝑑𝑞
Volume charge density 𝜌 = 𝑑𝑣 . 𝑑𝑞 = 𝜌𝑑𝑣

dv contributes to the potential at a point p outside V

𝑘𝑑𝑞 𝑑𝑞 𝜌𝑑𝑣
𝑑𝑉 = = =
𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟

r is the distance of p from 𝑑𝑣

By superposition principle, the electric potential at p due to the entire distribution of charge is

1 𝜌𝑑𝑣
𝑉= ∫
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 𝑟

b) surface distribution of charge with charge density σCm-2 ,

S r
P
𝑑𝑞
Surface charge density σ = 𝑑𝑞 = σ𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝑠

ds contributes to the potential at a point p outside S

𝑘𝑑𝑞 𝑑𝑞 σ𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝑉 = = =
𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟

r is the distance of `p from ds

By superposition principle, the electric potential at p due to the entire distribution of charge is
 1 σ𝑑𝑠
𝑉 = 4𝜋𝜀 ∫𝑟
0 𝑟

c) Linear distribution of charge with densityʎ𝑪𝒎−𝟏 .

dl r P

𝑑𝑞
Linear charge density ʎ = from this 𝑑𝑞 = ʎ𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝑙

1 ʎ𝑑𝑙
The Electric potential at p is 𝑉 = 4𝜋𝜀 ∫𝑟
0 𝑟

Examples on calculation of electric potential

1. Consider a discrete distribution of charges shown below

2.0cm 2.0cm p

𝑄1 = 8.0µ𝐶 𝑄2 = −4.0µ𝐶

The electric potential at P is

𝑄 𝑄
𝑉𝑝 = 𝑘 𝑟1 + 𝑘 𝑟2
1 2

𝑄 𝑄
= 𝑘 ( 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 )
1 2

8.0𝑥10−6 4𝑥10−6
= 9.0𝑥109 ( 4𝑥10−2 − 2𝑥10−2 ) = 0𝑉

Note that the electric potential at P is zero though the electric field intensity is non zero
𝑄 𝑄
𝑬𝑝 = 𝑘 𝑟 12 𝒊 + 𝑘 𝑟 22 𝒊
1 2

𝑄 𝑄
= 𝑘 (𝑟 12 + 𝑟 22 )
1 2

8.0𝑥10−6 4𝑥10−6
= 9.0𝑥109 ((4𝑥10−2)2 − (2𝑥10−2)2 ) 𝒊
 1
= 9.0𝑥107 (2 − 1) 𝒊

= −4.5𝑥107 𝒊𝑁𝐶 −1

2. Point charges Q1,Q2, and Q3 of magnitudes 2.0µC, 4.0µC, −2.0µ𝐶 and −4.0µC are
arranged at the corners of a square of side 4.0cm as shown
y
4cm Q3

Q2

4cm
0

Q1 Q4 x

Suppose it is required to find V3

𝑄 𝑄 𝑄
𝑉3 = 𝑘 𝑟1 + 𝑘 𝑟2 + 𝑘 𝑟4
1 2 4

𝑄 𝑄 𝑄
𝑉3 = 𝑘 ( 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 + 𝑟4 )
1 2 4

2.0𝑥10−6 4𝑥10−6 4𝑥10−6

= 9.0𝑥109 [4 + 2𝑥10−2 − 4.0𝑥10−2 ]V
√2𝑥10−2

1
= 9.0𝑥105 [2 2]V
√

= 3.18𝑥105 𝑉

The electric potential energy of Q3

= 𝑄3 𝑉3

= −2.0𝑥10−6 𝑥3.18𝑥105 𝐽

= −6.36𝑥10−1 J
3.Consider a ring of charge with charge Q distributed uniformly over the circumference with
radius a

dl

0 ϴ p

The electric field intensity at P due to a ring

𝑑𝑞
Linear charge density ʎ = from this 𝑑𝑞 = ʎ𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝑙

The electric potential at P due to an element of length dl is

𝑑𝑞 ʎ𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝑣 = 𝑘 =
𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟

1
But 𝑟 = (𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 )2 ,by Pythagoras theorem

𝑑𝑞 ʎ𝑑𝑙 ʎ𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝑣 = 𝑘 = 4𝜋𝜀 = 1
𝑟 0𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0𝑟(𝑎 2 +𝑥 2 )2

Every portion of the ring is at the same distance from the point P .Hence the electric potential at
p due the ring of charge is

ʎ 2𝜋𝑎
𝑣 (𝑥 ) = 1 ∫0 𝑑𝑙
4𝜋𝜀0(𝑎 2 +𝑥 2 )2

ʎ
= 1 [𝑙]2𝜋𝑎
0
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑎 2 +𝑥 2 )2

ʎ(2𝜋𝑎)
= 1 𝒊
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑎 2 +𝑥 2 )2

𝑄 𝑄
But ʎ = = 2𝜋𝑎
𝐿

𝑄
𝑣= 1 𝒊
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑎 2+𝑥 2)2
We can now calculate the electric field intensity at P using

𝐸 = −∇𝑉

𝑑𝑉
= − 𝑑𝑥 𝒊

𝒅 𝑄
= − 𝒅𝒙 ( 1 )
4𝜋𝜀0(𝑎 2 +𝑥 2)2

𝑸 𝒅 1
− 4𝜋𝜀 ( 1 )
0 𝒅𝒙 (𝑎 2 +𝑥 2 )2

−3
𝑸 1
= − 4𝜋𝜀 . − 2 (𝑎2 + 𝑥 2 ) 2 . 2𝑥
0

𝑄
= 4𝜋𝜀 𝒊 as obtained earlier
3
0(𝑎2+𝑥2 )2