ELECTRIC

POTENTIAL
ENERGY &
ELECTRIC
POTENTIAL
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Objectives:
1. Define electric potential and
electric potential energy.
2. Relate the electric potential
and electric field on a test
charge.
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3. Calculate the electric
potential and electric potential
energy from a given source
charge q.

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Electric Potential Energy
Defined
* potential energy due to the
location of a charge in an external
electric field.
* is a scalar quantity and the unit
is Joule, J.
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* If a charge qo is within the
electric field of another charge q,
the potential energy qo is

𝑞𝑞 𝑜
 
U =k
e
𝑟
r = distance of qo from q
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Examples:
1. What is the electric
potential energy between two
protons within the same
nucleus separated by distance
2 x 10 m?
-15

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2. System given below is composed
of charges 10q, 8q and -5q. Find the
total electric potential energy of the
system.
q1=10q 4d q3=8q

3d
5d

q2=-5q 7
Electric Potential Defined

* Electric potential or voltage is

the electric potential energy per
unit charge that arises due to
location within the electric field.

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* It is related to electrostatic
potential energy in the same way
electrostatic force is related to
electric field.

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* From a point charge q, the
electric potential at point r away
from the point charge is

𝑞    
𝑞
V=k 4 Πε 𝑜 𝑟
𝑟
=
10
* If a test charge qo is placed in a
region where the electric potential
is V, the electric potential energy
of the point charge is

U e = qo V
* The unit is volts (1 V = 1 J/C)

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Examples:
1. What is the electric potential at
a distance of 5.29x10 m from a
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proton? What is the potential

energy of the electron and proton
at this separation?

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2. Three point charges are fixed in
place as shown. Determine the
electric potential at point P.

q3=15 µC

0.50 m 0.30 m
P
q1=50 µC q2=-10 µC

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 Activity:
1. What is the potential energy
if a +2.00 nC charge moves
from ∞ to point A, 8 cm away
from a +6.00 µC charge?

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2. If a charge of magnitude
+4e is being held in place 3
cm from a charge of -5e which
is also held in place, what is
the potential energy of the
system?
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3. Two charges q1 = B

+3.00nC & q2 = 2 cm
= +3 nC
Q1

-5.00nC are
separated by 8 cm. 6 cm

Calculate the
electric potential at A
2 cm

point A. Q2 = -5 nC

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4. How much energy is given
to a charge of 20nC passing
through a 6V battery?

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