ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

The electric potential V of a point charge: is 𝑽 = 𝒌𝑸 𝒓 (𝑷𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆) where k is a

constant equal to 9.0 × 109 𝑁𝑚2/𝐶2

𝑄
𝑉 =𝑘 (𝑷𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆)
𝑟
where k is a constant equal to 9.0 × 109 𝑁𝑚2/𝐶2

The potential at infinity is chosen to be zero. Thus V for a point charge decreases with distance, whereas E for
a point charge decreases with distance squared:

=
Calculate:
1. the potential at a point due a charge of 14 × 10-9 𝐶 located at 6 cm away
2. work done in bringing a charge of 22 × 10-9 𝐶 from infinity to the point.
2.
1.
Given:
Given: k = 9 x 109 Nm2/C2
q = 22 × 10-9 C
Q = 14 × 10-9 𝐶 Va = 2100 V
r = 0.06 m
VB = 0 V (Potential at infinity)
 
Solution: Qa = 14 × 10-9 𝐶,
Va=2100 V
Qb = 22 × 10-9 𝐶
Vb=0 V
  ∞
+   +

 
= 9 x 109 Nm2/C2 𝑊 = 𝑞𝑉𝐴B
 
V = 2100 V = 22 × 10-9 𝐶 (2100 V- 0 V)
 
W = 46.2 x 10-6 V
Calculate the electric potential at a point A, located at the center of the square of point charges shown in
the figure.
Where q1 = 20nC, q2 = 33nC, q3 = -52nC and q4 = -16nC

q4 q1
r To get the value of r, solve first the
diameter of q1q3 which is also the
d = 3.8 cm same as q2q4 using the Pythagorean
A
theorem
q3 q2

Given: D=
=
Q1 = 20nC = 20 x 10 -9 C
D = 5.37m
Q2 = 33nC = 33 x 10 -9 C  
Q3 = 52nC = -52 x 10 -9 C r=
Q4 = -16nC = -16 x 10 -9 C =
d = 3.8m = 2.69 m
Potential at center point
V = Vq1 + Vq2 + Vq3 + Vq4
= + + +
= (Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4)

= [(20 x 10 -9 C) + (33 x 10 -9 C) + (52 x 10 -9 C) + (-16 x 10 -9 C)]

V = 297.77 V
 
A total charge of 4×10−9 C is uniformly distributed throughout a non-
conducting sphere with a radius of 2 cm. The electric potential at the
surface, relative to the potential far away, is about:
Given: k = 9 x 109 Nm2/C2
Q = 4 × 10-9 𝐶
r = 2 cm = 0.02 m

𝑄
𝑉 =𝑘
𝑟

V
The potential difference between the ends of a 5-meter stick that is
parallel to a uniform electric field is 100 V. The magnitude of the
electric field is:

Given: 𝑉 =𝐸 𝑥 𝑑
k = 9 x 109 Nm2/C2
V = 100 V 𝑉
E=
r = 5m d
100 𝑉
¿
5m
𝑽
𝐄=𝟐𝟎
m
Find the magnitude of the charge on the particle if 1500 J of work are
required to carry a charged particle between two points with a
potential difference of 60 V.

Given:
W = 1500 J 𝑊 = 𝑞𝑉
V = 60 V
𝑊
q=
V
1500 𝐽
¿
60 V

or 25 C
A particle with a charge of 4 × 10−6 C is fixed at the origin. A particle with a
charge of 15 × 10−6 C is moved from y = 9.2 cm on the y axis to x = 1 cm on
the x axis. The change in potential energy of the two-particle system is:

Given:
k = 9 x 109 Nm2/C2
q1 = -4 x 10-6 C
q2 = 15 x 10-6 C
𝝙 𝑉 =𝑉 2− 𝑉 1
y = 9.2 cm = 0.092m
x = 1 cm = 0.01m -

-]

= 5.33 J
 A particle with a charge of -8.2×10-9 C is 0.25m from a particle with a
charge of 12.5×10-9 C. The potential energy of this two-particle system,
relative to the potential energy at infinite separation, is:

Given:
k = 9 x 109 Nm2/C2 )
q1 = -8.2×10-9 C
q2 = 12.5×10-9 C )
r = 0.25m
V = -0.00000369 J or -3.69 X 10 J