Chapter 23:

Electric Potential
 Electric Potential and
Potential Difference
𝑑𝑊E = F𝑒 ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝑞E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
𝑭𝒆 is a conservative force
modify
𝑊E = −Δ𝑈𝐸

𝑑𝑈𝐸 = −𝑑𝑊E = −𝑞E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs

B
Δ𝑈𝐸 = −𝑞 න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
A

𝑈𝐸
𝑉=
𝑞
 Electric Potential and
Potential Difference
B
Δ𝑈𝐸
Δ𝑉 ≡ = − න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
𝑞 A

SI unit: 1 V ≡ 1 J/C modify

Work by external agent: 𝑊 = 𝑞Δ𝑉

Another electric field unit: 1 N/C = 1 V/m

The electric field is a measure of

the rate of change of the electric
potential with respect to position.
Another energy unit:
1 eV = 1.60218 × 10−19 C ⋅ V = 1.60218 × 10−19 J
 Potential Difference in a
Uniform Electric Field
B
𝑉B − 𝑉A = Δ𝑉 = − න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
A
B
= − න 𝐸𝑑𝑠 cos 0 °
A
B
= − න 𝐸𝑑𝑠
A
B
Δ𝑉 = −𝐸 න 𝑑𝑠
A

Δ𝑉 = −𝐸𝑑

Δ𝑈𝐸 = 𝑞Δ𝑉 = −𝑞𝐸𝑑

 Equipotential Surfaces

B
Δ𝑉 = − න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
A
B
= −E ⋅ න 𝑑Ԧs = −E ⋅ sԦ
A

Δ𝑉 = −𝐸𝑑

Δ𝑈𝐸 = 𝑞Δ𝑉 = −𝑞E ⋅ sԦ

Δ𝑈𝐸 = 𝑞Δ𝑉 = −𝑞𝐸𝑑

 Example 1: The Electric Field Between
Two Parallel Plates of Opposite Charge
A battery has a specified potential difference V between its
terminals and establishes that potential difference between
conductors attached to the terminals. A 12-V battery is
connected between two parallel plates as shown in the figure.
The separation between the plates is d = 0.30 cm, and we
assume the electric field between the plates to be uniform.
(This assumption is reasonable
if the plate separation is small
relative to the plate dimensions
and we do not consider locations
near the plate edges.) Find the
magnitude of the electric field
between the plates.
 Example 1: The Electric Field Between
Two Parallel Plates of Opposite Charge

𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 12 V 3 V/m
𝐸= = = 4.0 × 10
𝑑 0.30 × 10−2 m
 Example 2:
Motion of a Proton in a Uniform Electric Field
A proton is released from rest at point A in a uniform electric
field that has a magnitude of 8.0 × 104 V/m, as shown in the
figure. The proton undergoes a displacement of magnitude
𝑑 = 0.50 m to point B in the direction of 𝐄. Find the speed
of the proton after completing the displacement.
 Example 2:
Motion of a Proton in a Uniform Electric Field
1
Δ𝐾 + Δ𝑈𝐸 = 0 ⇒ 𝑚𝑣 2 − 0 + 𝑒Δ𝑉 = 0
2

−2𝑒Δ𝑉 −2𝑒 −𝐸𝑑 2𝑒𝐸𝑑

𝑣= = =
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚

2 1.6 × 10−19 C 8.0 × 104 V 0.50 m

𝑣=
1.67 × 10−27 kg
= 2.8 × 106 m/s
Electric Potential and Potential Energy
Due to Point Charges
B
𝑉B − 𝑉A = − න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
A
𝑞
E = 𝑘𝑒 2
rො
𝑟
𝑞
E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝑘𝑒 2 rො ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
𝑟

rො ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝑑𝑠 cos 𝜃

𝑑𝑠 cos 𝜃 = 𝑑𝑟
𝑞
E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝑘𝑒 𝑑𝑟
𝑟2
Electric Potential and Potential Energy
Due to Point Charges
𝑟B
𝑑𝑟 𝑞 𝑟B
𝑉B − 𝑉A = −𝑘𝑒 𝑞 න 2
= 𝑘𝑒 ฬ
𝑟A 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟A
1 1
𝑉B − 𝑉A = 𝑘𝑒 𝑞 −
𝑟B 𝑟A

𝑉𝐴 = 0 at 𝑟𝐴 = ∞
𝑞
𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒
𝑟

𝑞𝑖
𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒 ෍
𝑟𝑖
𝑖
Electric Potential and Potential Energy
Due to Point Charges

𝑊ext = 𝑞2 Δ𝑉

𝑞1
Δ𝑈𝐸 = 𝑊ext = 𝑞2 Δ𝑉 ⇒ 𝑈𝐸 − 0 = 𝑞2 𝑘𝑒 −0
𝑟12
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑈𝐸 = 𝑘𝑒
𝑟12
Electric Potential and Potential Energy
Due to Point Charges

𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
𝑈𝐸 = 𝑘𝑒 + +
𝑟12 𝑟13 𝑟23
 Example 3: The Electric Potential
Due to Two Point Charges
As shown in the figure, a charge q1 = 2.00 C is
located at the origin and a charge q2 = −6.00 C 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.
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑉𝑃 = 𝑘𝑒 +
𝑟1 𝑟2
 Example 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 C as the latter
charge moves from infinity to point P.

Δ𝑈𝐸 = 𝑞3 Δ𝑉
= 𝑞3 (𝑉𝑃 −0)
= 3.00 × 10−6 C −6.29 × 103 V
= −1.89 × 10−2 J
Obtaining the Value of the Electric Field
from the Electric Potential
B
Δ𝑉 = − න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
A

𝑑𝑉 = −E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs

E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐸𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑉 = −𝐸𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑉
𝐸𝑥 = −
𝑑𝑥
Obtaining the Value of the Electric Field
from the Electric Potential
𝑑𝑉
E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐸𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑉 = −𝐸𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝐸𝑟 = −
𝑑𝑟

𝜕𝑉
𝐸𝑥 = −
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑉
𝐸𝑦 = −
𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑉
𝐸𝑧 = −
𝜕𝑧
Electric Potential Due to Continuous
Charge Distributions

𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒
𝑟

𝑑𝑞
𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒 න
𝑟
 Example 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 the figure. 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.
𝑞𝑖
𝑉𝑃 = 𝑘𝑒 ෍
𝑟𝑖
𝑖
𝑞 −𝑞
= 𝑘𝑒 +
𝑎2 + 𝑦2 𝑎2 + 𝑦 2
= 0
 Example 4: The Electric Potential
Due to a Dipole
(B) Calculate the electric potential at point R on the
positive x axis.

𝑞𝑖
𝑉𝑅 = 𝑘𝑒 ෍
𝑟𝑖
𝑖
−𝑞 𝑞
= 𝑘𝑒 +
𝑥−𝑎 𝑥+𝑎
2𝑘𝑒 𝑞𝑎
= − 2
𝑥 − 𝑎2
 Example 4: The Electric Potential
Due to a Dipole
(C) Calculate V and Ex at a point on the x axis far from
the dipole.
2𝑘𝑒 𝑞𝑎 2𝑘𝑒 𝑞𝑎
𝑉𝑅 = lim − ≈ − 𝑥 >> 𝑎
𝑥>>𝑎 𝑥 2 − 𝑎2 𝑥2

𝑑𝑉 𝑑 2𝑘𝑒 𝑞𝑎
𝐸𝑥 = − =− −
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥2
𝑑 1
= 2𝑘𝑒 𝑞𝑎
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 2
4𝑘𝑒 𝑞𝑎
= − 𝑥 >> 𝑎
𝑥3
 Example 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 න = 𝑘𝑒 න
𝑟 𝑎2 + 𝑥 2

𝑘𝑒 𝑘𝑒 𝑄
𝑉= න𝑑𝑞 =
𝑎2 + 𝑥2 𝑎2 + 𝑥 2
 Example 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 = − = −𝑘𝑒 𝑄 𝑎 + 𝑥 2 −1/2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1
= −𝑘𝑒 𝑄 − 𝑎2 + 𝑥 2 −3/2 2𝑥
2
𝑘𝑒 𝑥
𝐸𝑥 = 2 2 3/2
𝑄
𝑎 +𝑥
 Example 6: Electric Dipole
Due to a Uniformly Charged Disk
A uniformly charged disk has radius R and surface
charge density .
(A) Find the electric potential at a point P along the
perpendicular central axis of the disk.
 Example 6: Electric Dipole
Due to a Uniformly Charged Disk

𝑑𝑞 = 𝜎𝑑𝐴 = 𝜎 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟 = 2𝜋𝜎𝑟𝑑𝑟

𝑘𝑒 𝑑𝑞 𝑘𝑒 2𝜋𝜎𝑟𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝑉 = =
𝑟2 + 𝑥2 𝑟2 + 𝑥2

𝑅
2𝑟𝑑𝑟
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑘𝑒 𝜎 න
0 𝑟2 + 𝑥2
𝑅
−1/2
= 𝜋𝑘𝑒 𝜎 න 𝑟 2 + 𝑥 2 2𝑟𝑑𝑟
0

𝑉 = 2𝜋𝑘𝑒 𝜎 𝑅2 + 𝑥 2 1/2 − 𝑥
 Example 6: Electric Dipole
Due to a Uniformly Charged Disk
(B) Find the x component of the electric field at a point P
along the perpendicular central axis of the disk.
𝑑𝑉
𝐸𝑥 = −
𝑑𝑥
𝑥
= 2𝜋𝑘𝑒 𝜎 1 −
𝑅2 + 𝑥 2 1/2
 Example 7: Electric Potential
Due to a Finite Line of Charge
A rod of length l, located along the x axis has a total
charge Q and a uniform linear charge density . Find the
electric potential at a point P located on the y axis a
distance a from the origin
 Example 7: Electric Potential
Due to a Finite Line of Charge
𝜆𝑑𝑥 ℓ
𝜆𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒 → 𝑉 = න 𝑘𝑒
𝑎2 + 𝑥 2 0 𝑎2 + 𝑥 2

ℓ
𝑑𝑥 𝑄 2 2
ℓ
𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒 𝜆 න = 𝑘𝑒 ln 𝑥 + 𝑎 + 𝑥 ቚ
0
2
𝑎 +𝑥 2 ℓ 0

𝑄
𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒 ln ℓ + 𝑎2 + ℓ2 − ln 𝑎
ℓ
𝑄 ℓ + 𝑎 2 + ℓ2
= 𝑘𝑒 ln
ℓ 𝑎
Conductors in Electrostatic Equilibrium

1. E = 0 inside conductor

2. Charge resides on surface of isolated conductor

3. E at point just outside conductor, perpendicular

to surface, has magnitude /0
4. Irregularly shaped conductor:  greatest where
radius of curvature smallest
Electric Fields and Charged Conductors
B
𝑉B − 𝑉A = − න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 0
A

The surface of any charged conductor in

electrostatic equilibrium is an equipotential surface:
every point on the surface of a charged conductor in
equilibrium is at the same electric potential.
Furthermore, because the electric field is zero
inside the conductor, the electric potential is
constant everywhere inside the conductor and equal
to its value at the surface.
Electric Potential and Electric Field of
Charged Conductor
 Surface Charge Density on
Charged Conductior
Irregularly shaped conductor:  greatest where radius
of curvature smallest
 Surface Charge Density on
Charged Conductior
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑉 = 𝑘𝑒 = 𝑘𝑒
𝑟1 𝑟2

𝑞1 1
𝑘𝑒
𝐸1 𝑟1 2 𝑟1 𝑉 𝑟2
= = =
𝐸2 𝑘𝑒 𝑞2 1
𝑉 𝑟1
𝑟2 2
𝑟2

Since r2 < r1 → E1 < E2 → 1/0 < 2/0 → 1 < 2

 A Cavity Within a Conductor

B
𝑉B − 𝑉A = − න E ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs
A

• Because VB − VA = 0 → integral of
E  ds = 0 for all paths between
any two points A and B on
conductor
• Only true for all paths if E = 0
everywhere in cavity
 End-of-Chapter Problems
23.7 Two protons, starting several meters apart, are aimed directly at each other with
speeds of 1.50  106 m/s, measured relative to the earth. Find the maximum electric
force that these protons will exert on each other.
Let a refer to the initial configuration and b to the final one.
23.8 Three equal 1.40- C point charges are placed at the corners of an
equilateral triangle with sides 0.300 m long. What is the potential
energy of the system? (Take as zero the potential energy of the three
charges when they are infinitely far apart.)
23.26 A total electric charge of 1.50 nC is distributed uniformly over
the surface of a metal sphere with a radius of 24.0 cm. If the potential
is zero at a point at infinity, find the value of the potential at the
following distances from the center of the sphere: (a) 55.0 cm; (b) 24.0
cm; (c) 12.0 cm.
23.37 Two large, parallel, metal plates carry opposite charges of equal magnitude.
They are separated by 50.0 mm, and the potential difference between them is 365 V.
(a) What is the magnitude of the electric field (assumed to be uniform) in the region
between the plates? (b) What is the magnitude of the force this field exerts on a
particle with charge +2.50 nC? (c) Use the results of part (b) to compute the work
done by the field on the particle as it moves from the higherpotential plate to the
lower. (d) Compare the result of part (c) to the change of potential energy of the same
charge, computed from the electric potential.
23.44 In a certain region of space the electric potential is given by V = +Ax2y - Bxy2,
where A = 5.00 V/m3 and B = 8.00 V/m3. Calculate the magnitude and direction of
the electric field at the point in the region that has coordinates x = 2.00 m, y = 0.400
m, and z = 0.
23.68 A thin insulating rod is bent into a semicircular arc of radius a,
and a total electric charge Q is distributed uniformly along the rod.
Calculate the potential at the center of curvature of the arc if the
potential is assumed to be zero at infinity.