ELECTRIC

POTENTIA
L
INTRODUCTION
• Electric potential, a fundamental concept in
physics, measures the electrical potential
energy per unit charge. It is essential in
understanding the behavior of electric fields
and their effects on charged particles.
• Exploring electric potential provides valuable
insights into the forces and energy associated
with electrical systems, making it a crucial
element in various real-world applications.
01Definition and Concept of
Electric Potential

Electric potential (V) at a

point in space is defined as
the amount of electric
potential energy (U) per
unit charge (q) at that
point. Mathematically, it is
expressed as V = U / q.
Calculation of Electric Potential

FORMULA
Mathematical methods to
calculate electric potential.
UNIT
Electron volts or joules per
coulomb.
 potential can be altered by the type of material (medium) through which the electric field passes.
The electric potential decreases with increasing distance from the source of the electric field.The electric
Factors Affecting Electric Potential
CHARGE
The amount of electric potential is directly influenced
by the magnitude and distribution of electric charges.

DISTANCE
The electric potential decreases with increasing distance
from the source of the electric field.

MEDIIUM
The electric potential can be altered by the type of
material (medium) through which the electric field passes.
Problem solving
Problem 1:
A point charge q = +8 μC is placed at a distance of 2
meters from a fixed point in space. Determine the electric
potential at that point if the electrostatic constant is k = 9
x 10^9 N m^2/C^2.

Problem 2:
ELECTRIC
POTENTIAL
ENERGY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ENERGY
Electric potential energy (U) is
the energy stored in a system
of charged particles due to
their positions and the electric
forces between them. It is the
work required to assemble or
separate the charges in the
system from infinity to their
respective positions.
 Electric potential
energy
Definition: The stored energy of an electric
charge in an electric field.
Units: Expressed in joules (J) in the SI unit
system.
 FORMULA:
U = k * (q1 * q2) / r
Where:
- U is the electric potential energy.
- k is the electrostatic constant, also known as Coulomb's
constant, approximately equal to 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2.
- q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the two point charges.
- r is the distance between the charges
 SAMPLE PROBLEM
Problem 1:
Find the electric potential energy you for the array of three
charges located at the vertice of an equilateral triangle with
side of 12.5 m charge q1= +8uC, q2=q3= -9 uC.
Problem 2:
How much work is required to bring together the three given
charges from infinity to the corners of an equilateral triangle of
side length 1cm?
q1=1μC, q2=2μC, q3=3μC
04
POTENTIAL
GRADIENT
 The potential gradient, also
known as the electric field
strength or electric field gradient,
measures how the electric
potential changes with respect to
distance in an electric field. It
represents the rate of change of
electric potential per unit
distance.
 POTENTIAL GRADIENT

• To calculate the electric field strength (E)

E=V/r

• The Unit of Electric field strength is

volts/ cm or volts / m
 POTENTIAL GRADIENT

• To calculate the potential gradient

∇V = E / d

• The Unit of potential gradient is

volts/ cm or volts / m
 POTENTIAL GRADIENT
WHERE :
E - Electric field

dV - the change of voltage

∇V - derivative of the electric

potential (V)

r - distance
Mathematically, the
potential gradient (∇V)
is defined as the
negative of the
derivative of the
electric potential (V)
with respect to
distance (r):
∇V = -dV/dr
Problem 1 :
A point charge q = +4 μC
creates an electric
potential of 1000 V at a
distance of 2 meters
from it. Calculate the
electric field strength
and the potential
gradient at that point.
 PROBLEM 2

A point charge q = -3 \mu C creates an

electric potential of 500 V at a
distance of 4 meters from it. Calculate
the electric field strength and the
potential gradient at that point.
 Problem 3 :

A point charge q = -2 \mu C creates an

electric potential of 600 V at a distance
of 3 meters from it. Calculate the
electric field strength and the potential
gradient at that point.
 Problem 4 :

A point charge q = +5 \mu C creates an

electric potential of 1200 V at a distance
of 6 meters from it. Calculate the
electric field strength and the potential
gradient at that point.
 03 LAB RULES

04
THANK
YOU!!!