Electricity and Optics - PHYS 241
23
Outline
23-1 Potential Difference
23-2 Potential Due to a System of Point Charges
23-3 Computing the Electric Field from the Potential
23-4 Calculating V for Continuous Charge Distribution
23-5 Equipotential Surfaces
23-6 Electrostatic Potential Energy
CHAPTER 23 23-1: Potential Difference
The electric force on a charge q in an electric field 𝐸 is given by:
The potential difference (V) is the potential energy change per unit charge
For a finite displacement from point 𝑎 to point 𝑏 the change in potential is
The function 𝑽 is called the electric potential; it is often referred to as the potential.
CHAPTER 23 23-1: Potential Difference
Question 1
A uniform electric field of magnitude 325 V/m is directed in the negative y-direction
in the Figure. The coordinates of point A are (-0.3, -0.4) m, and those of point B are
(0.4, 0.5) m. Calculate the electric potential difference VB - VA.
CHAPTER 23 23-1: Potential Difference
Question 1
A uniform electric field of magnitude 325 V/m is directed in the negative y-direction
in the Figure. The coordinates of point A are (-0.3, -0.4) m, and those of point B are
(0.4, 0.5) m. Calculate the electric potential difference VB - VA.
𝐵
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − න 𝐸. 𝑑 𝑙Ԧ
𝐴
𝑥𝐵 𝑦𝐵 𝑧𝐵
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − න 𝐸𝑥 𝑑𝑥 − න 𝐸𝑦 𝑑𝑦 − න 𝐸𝑧 𝑑𝑧
𝑥𝐴 𝑦𝐴 𝑧𝐴
𝑉
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐸𝑦 𝑗Ƹ + 𝐸𝑧 𝑘 = − 325 𝑗Ƹ
𝑚
𝑦𝐵 𝑦𝐵
𝑦𝐵
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − න −325𝑑𝑦 = 325 න 𝑑𝑦 = 325 𝑦 𝑦𝐴
𝑦𝐴 𝑦𝐴
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = 325 𝑦𝐵 − 𝑦𝐴 = 325 𝑦𝐵 − 𝑦𝐴 = 325 0.5 + 0.4 = +292.5 𝑉
CHAPTER 23 23-1: Potential Difference
CHAPTER 23 Conceptual Question
The below figure shows 2 region of different electric potential V.
What is the direction of the electric field 𝐸 at point P?
P
Low High
Potential Potential
CHAPTER 23 Conceptual Question
An electron is placed at location P.
What is the direction of the electric force 𝐹Ԧ at the electron?
P
Low High
Potential Potential
CHAPTER 23 23-2: Potential Due to a System of Point Charges
CHAPTER 23 23-2: Potential Due to a System of Point Charges
Question 2
CHAPTER 23 23-2: Potential Due to a System of Point Charges
Question 2
(a)
(b)
CHAPTER 23 Conceptual Question
An electric charge is placed at a distance 𝑟 from point 𝑃. Then you double
the charge and double the distance 𝑟.
How does the electric potential at point 𝑃 change?
A. The new electric potential is twice larger.
B. The new electric potential is twice smaller.
C. The new electric potential is the same.
D. The new electric potential 4 times larger.
CHAPTER 23 23-3: Computing the Electric Field from the Potential
CHAPTER 23 23-3: Computing the Electric Field from the Potential
Question 3
CHAPTER 23 23-3: Computing the Electric Field from the Potential
Question 3
CHAPTER 23 23-3: Computing the Electric Field from the Potential
Question 4
CHAPTER 23 23-3: Computing the Electric Field from the Potential
Question 4
CHAPTER 23 23-4: Calculating V for Continuous Charge Distribution
CHAPTER 23 23-4: Calculating V for Continuous Charge Distribution
Electric potential on the axis of a uniformly charged ring of radius "R" , at a distance x from its center:
𝐤𝐐
𝐕= 𝟐
𝐱 + 𝐑𝟐 𝟏/𝟐
CHAPTER 23 23-4: Calculating V for Continuous Charge Distribution
Question 5
A uniformly charged thin ring has radius 𝑟 = 5 𝑐𝑚 and total charge +24 𝑛𝐶 . If the potential is zero at a point at
infinity, find the value of the potential on the ring's axis a distance 30 𝑐𝑚 from the center of the ring.
CHAPTER 23 23-4: Calculating V for Continuous Charge Distribution
Electric potential at a distance "r" from the center of a charged spherical shell of radius R:
Outside the shell
Inside the shell
CHAPTER 23 23-4: Calculating V for Continuous Charge Distribution
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 "r" 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 R:
Inside the sphere
Outside the sphere
CHAPTER 23 Conceptual Question
Consider a spherical shell of charge 𝑄 and point 𝑃 on the surface of the shell.
To calculate the electric potential at point 𝑃, which equation needs to be
used?
𝑘𝑄
A. 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 𝑅
𝑘𝑄
B. 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 𝑟
C. Any of the above.
D. None of the above.
CHAPTER 23 23-4: Calculating V for Continuous Charge Distribution
Question 6
A total electric charge of 3.50 𝑛𝐶 is distributed uniformly over the surface of a metal sphere with a radius of
24 𝑐𝑚. If the potential is zero at a point at infinity, find the value of the potential at the following distances
from the center of the sphere: (𝑎) 48 𝑐𝑚; (𝑏) 24 𝑐𝑚; (𝑐) 12 𝑐𝑚.
CHAPTER 23 23-5: Equipotential Surfaces
Any surface over which the potential is constant is called an equipotential surface
Simulation
CHAPTER 23 Conceptual Question
Two charged metal spheres are connected by a wire. Sphere A is larger
than sphere B, as shown. The magnitude of the electric potential of
sphere A
(A) is greater than that at the surface of sphere B.
(B) is less than that at the surface of sphere B.
(C) is the same as that at the surface of sphere B.
CHAPTER 23 23-5: Equipotential Surfaces
Question 7
CHAPTER 23 23-5: Equipotential Surfaces
Question 7
(a) (b)
(c)
CHAPTER 23 23-6: Electrostatic Potential Energy
The work required to bring a test charge 𝒒𝟎 from infinity to be at distance r
from the charge 𝒒 is given by
𝑾 = −∆𝑼 = −𝒒𝟎 ∆𝑽
CHAPTER 23 Conceptual Question
If the electric potential energy between two equal charges quadruples,
describe the change in the distance between the particles.
A. The distance was quartered
B. The distance was doubled
C. The distance was halved
D. The distance was quadrupled
CHAPTER 23 23-6: Electrostatic Potential Energy
Electrostatic Potential Energy of a system of Charges
Question 8
As shown below, charge 𝑞1 is on the 𝑦 axis at 𝑦 = 3 𝑚, charge 𝑞2 is at 𝑥 = 2 𝑚, 𝑦 = 3 𝑚, and charge 𝑞3 is on the 𝑥 axis
at 𝑥 = 2 𝑚. Calculate the total electrostatic potential energy of this system of charges.
CHAPTER 23 23-6: Electrostatic Potential Energy
Question 9 Assume that 𝑎 = 10 𝑐𝑚 and 𝑞 = 1 𝑛𝐶
a) Compute the potential at point B
b) Compute the potential energy stored on charge 𝑞3
located at point B
c) Compute the potential energy of the system.
