ELECTRIC POTENTIAL/

ENERGY
M.Hunain Asif (082)
Muhammad Shafy(079)
Maaz Junaid (093)
Ammad Ashraf(060)
 Table of Content:
1.Introduction (Hunain Asif)

2.Conservation of Energy in Electronics

(Muhammad Shafy)

3.Potential energy of a System of Charges

(Maaz Junaid)

4.Electric Potential
(Ammad Ashraf)
INTRODUCTION
 Electric Potential Energy:
o When an object is moved against the electric field it gains some amount of energy
which is defined as the electric potential energy. For any charge, the electric potential
is obtained by dividing the potential energy by the quantity of charge

o Strength of the electric field depends on the electric potential. It is independent of

the fact whether a charge should be placed in the electric field or not. Electric
potential is a scalar quantity

o There are two key elements on which the electric potential energy of an object
depends.
• It’s own electric charge.
• It’s relative position with other electrically charged objects
 Electric Potential

Denoted by V, ∆V, U, ∆U

Dimension: ML2T-3A-1

General Formula Voltage = Energy/Charge

SI Unit Volt

The equation for the electric potential due to a point charge is

V=k Q/r
where k is a constant equal to 9.0×109 N⋅m2/C2.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY IN
ELECTROSTATICS
 What is conservation?
In physics, the term conservation refers to something which doesn't change. This
means that the variable in an equation which represents a conserved quantity is
constant over time. It has the same value both before and after an event.

What is Conservation of Energy?

• Energy cannot be destroyed. It can transformed from one kind to
another, but the total amount of energy remains constant.
• Likewise... Total Energy = P.E. + K.E= Constant
What is Conservation of Energy in
Electrostatics?
The force exerted on a charged particle by an
electrostatic field is conservative, the electrostatic
potential energy plus the kinetic energy for the
charged particle in the electrostatic field is a
constant, provided no other forces act on the
particle.
Potential Energy
 Energy in
Electrostatics
Kinetic Energy: associated with the state of
motion
Potential Energy: associated with the
configuration of the system

Formula:
KE = 1/2 mv2
PE = k ×[q1q2/r]

KE+PE = constant.
Potential energy of a System of
Charges
What is electric potential energy?
The electric potential energy of any given charge or system of changes is termed as
the total work done by an external agent in bringing the charge or the system of
charges from infinity to the present configuration without undergoing any
acceleration.

Electric potential energy is a scalar quantity with no direction and only magnitude. 

It is symbolized by V and has the dimensional formula [ML 2T-3A-1].

If two like charges (two protons or two electrons) are brought towards each other, the
potential energy of the system increases. If two unlike charges i.e. a proton and an
electron are brought towards each other, the electric potential energy of the system
decreases.
Electric Potential Energy

A charge placed in an electric field possesses potential energy and is

measured by the work done in moving the charge from infinity to
that point against the electric field. If two charges q1 and q2 are
separated by a distance d, the electric potential energy of the
system is

 
𝑘 𝑞1 𝑞 2  
1 𝑞1𝑞2
𝑈 𝑒= 2
or 𝑈 𝑒= ⋅ 2
𝑟 4 𝜋 𝜀𝑜 𝑟
Potential Energy of a system of charges

The potential for a system of charges is calculated as below:

• Potential energy for the first charge is considered as zero which is
brought from infinity to a point having no external repulsive
forces (no other charges present in the space).
• Bringing another charge will face attractive or repulsive force
from the first charge and the work done to bring it from infinity
to the point is stored in the form of potential energy.
• Similarly, all further charges being brought from infinity will face
attractive or repulsive force from all other charges present in the
space.
Example # 02:
Electric Potential
 Electrostatics Potential

 Electric Potential:Electric potential, the amount of

work needed to move a unit charge from a reference point
to a specific point against an electric field.It is denoted by
‘V’
Formula: Electric Potential=Workdone/Charge
V=W/qo
SI Units: V=Joule/coulomb =volt (1volt=1J/C)
Cgs units:mg/stat coulomb =1 stat volt
What is Electric Potential?
 Numerical
1.Determine the electric potential at a point located at 1cm from a charge 5.0
mC.Coulomb constant k=9x109 Nm2/C-2,1mC=10-6.
Data:
The distance from the charge(r)=1cm=1/100m=0.01m=10-2m
Charge(q)=5.0mC=5.0x10-6C
Coulomb Constant(k)=9x109Nm2C-2
Electric potential(V)=?
Solution:
Electric Potential:
V=kq/r
 V=(9x109)5x10-6/10-2
V=(9x109)(5x10-4)
V=45x105
V=4.5x106 Volt

Result:The Electric potential is 4.5x106 Volt at a point that is located 1cm

from a charge of 5.0mC.
Example Numerical
Example Numerical