1.

3 Electric Potential
Learning Outcome:
𝑊
a) Define electric potential, 𝑉=
𝑞𝑜
b) Define and sketch equipotential lines and surfaces of
i) an isolated charge & ii) a uniform electric field
Q
c) Use V k
r for a point charge and a system of charges.
d) Calculate potential difference between two points.

Δ𝑽=𝑉 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙−𝑉 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙

e) Deduce the change in potential energy, U two points in electric
between
field : U  qV
f) Calculate potential energy of a system of point charges.
 q1q2 q1q3 q2q3 
U  k    1
r
 12 r13 r23 
1.3 Electric Potential
W
a)Define electric potential, V
qo
• The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is
defined as the work done to bring a unit positive charge
from infinity to that point.
(energy required to bring 1 C of positive charge
from infinity to that point).

•
W where V = electric potential at a point
V
qo W = work done
qo = positive test charge

• The electric potential at infinity is considered zero.

• Scalar quantity.
• Its unit is volt (V)
• The sign for the charge (+ or -) must be
(1 V = 1J/1C.) substituted in the calculation.
• Its formula is Q
V k
r 2
A) If point charge is positive B) If point charge is negative

Q Q
+ •A - •A
r r
The electric potential at point The electric potential at point
A at distance r from a positive A at distance r from a negative
point charge Q is point charge Q is

VA k
 Q 
VA k
 Q 
r r
Q Q
VA  k VA  k
r r

3
 Case A
Q Fext FE
+ •A
r +qo
r 
The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is the work done to bring a
unit positive charge from infinity to that point.

dW  F ex t dr
kQq0 W  r
dW   F E dr but F E  2 VA 
r q0
r r r r

r 
dW  
r 
 FE dr
kQqo
r VA 
W   kQqo  r 2dr qo r

r Q
W   kQqo  r 1  VA  k
 r
Qqo
W k 4
r
 Case B
Q FE
- •A
r +qo
r 
The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is the work done to bring a
unit positive charge from infinity to that point.

kQq0 W  r
dW  F E dr but F E  VA 
r2
r r r r
q0
 r 
dW  
r 
FE dr
kQqo
r VA 
W  kQqo  r 2dr qo r

r Q
W  kQqo  r 1  VA   k
 r
Qqo
W  k
r 5
b) Define and sketch equipotential lines and surfaces of
i) an isolated charge & ii) a uniform electric field
Equipotential Lines and Surfaces

• The electric potential can be represented graphically by

drawing equipotential lines or in three dimensions,
equipotential surfaces.

• An equipotential surface is a surface on which all points

are at the same potential.

• An equipotential line is a line on which all points are at the same

potential.

• No work is done when a charge moves from one point on

an equipotential surface to another point on the same
surface (because the potential difference is zero)
• An equipotential surface must be perpendicularly to the electric
field at any point. 6
i) An isolated charge ii) A uniform electric field

A E + -
A
B + -
C
+ -
B
+ -
C
+  -
E
V A  V B  VC
WAB  qVAB  q(VB  VA )
WAB  0
The dashed lines represent the equipotential surface (line).

7
 Q
c) Use V k
r for a point charge and a system of charges.
Example 1.3.1

Figure above shows a point A at distance 10 m from the positive

point charge, q = 5C. Calculate the electric potential at point A and
describe the meaning of the answer.
(Given : Coulomb’s constant, k = 9.0 x 109 N m2 C-2)
Solution 1.3.1

Meaning : 4.5 x 109 joule of work is done (energy required) in bringing 1 C

positive charge from infinity to the point A. 8
Example 1.3.2

Calculate the electric potential at point A .

Solution 1.3.2

9
 Example 1.3.3
Q1 =2µC Q2 =2µC
+ -
3 cm
5 cm

A•
Calculate the electric potential at point A.
Solution1.3.3

Meaning : 2.4 x 10 5 J
work /energy is needed
to move (bring) 1C
positive charge from
infinity to point A

10
d) Calculate potential difference (∆V) between two points.

• The potential difference between point A and point B, (VAB) is

given by
WAB
VAB  VB  VA 
qo

VA : electric potential at point A

VB : electric potential at point B
qo : a test charge
WAB : work done in bringing a test charge
from point A to point B

Point A initial point

Point B final point
11
 WAB
VAB 
WAB q
VAB  VB  VA  or
qo
WAB  qVAB

In calculation if
i) W positive : work done on electric field
(work done by external force)
ii) W negative : work done by electric field
(work done by electric force)

12
 Example 1.3.4
Two point charges q1=+2.40 nC and q2=-6.50 nC are 0.100 m apart. Point
A is midway between them, point B is 0.080 m from q1 and 0.060 m from
q2 as shown in figure below.

0 .0 8 0 m
0 .0 6 0 m
A
+ -
q1 q2
0 .0 5 0 m 0 .0 5 0 m
Find
a) the electric potential at point A,
b) the electric potential at point B,
c) the work done by the electric field on a charge of
2.5 nC that travels from point B to point A.
13
 Solution 1.3.4

Given: q1=+2.40 nC , q2=-6.50 nC

B
a)
0 .0 8 0 m
0 .0 6 0 m
A
+ -
q1 q2
0 .0 5 0 m 0 .0 5 0 m

b)
WBA  q V A  VB ) 
c)
 2.5 10 9  738  705
 8.25  10 8 J

14
 e) Deduce the change in potential energy, U two points in electric
between
field :
Electric Potential Energy, U
• The electric potential energy U of a charge q at a point in an
electric field is given by
U  qV
Q
+ •A
q
r kQ
U A  qV A U q
r
kqQ
U
• Scalar quantity. r
• Its unit is joule (J).
• The sign of charges must be substituted in the calculation.
Exercise

What is the potential energy of an electron that is 0.53 x 10 -10 m from a proton ? (-
4.35 x 10-18 J)
15
 The Change in Electric Potential Energy, ∆U

Δ𝑈=𝑈 𝐴𝐵 U AB  qVAB

WAB  qVAB
....(1)

....(2) From slide 10

Eq (1) = Eq(2)

U AB  WAB
The difference between the work done to move
electric potential energy at (bring) a charge q from
point A and electric potential = point A to point B.
energy at point B 16
 Example 1.3.5
a) What is the electric potential energy of a charge 0.05µC at the point
i) 10 cm and
ii) 50 cm from a point charge of 2 µC ?
b) Find the change in electric potential energy between i) and ii).
Solution 1.3.5
a

17