PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
MODULE 04: ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
(Dr. Rubaiyet I. Haque)
LECTURE 08
OUTLINE:
- Electric potential and electric potential energy
- Equipotential surface
- Calculating potential from the field
- Potential due to a point charge
- Potential due to group of charged particles
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
Electric Potential refers to the amount of work done per unit charge to move a positive test charge
from a reference point (usually infinity) to a specific point in an electric field against the electric
force, without causing any acceleration.
- The movement of the charge occurs at a constant velocity, meaning the external force applied
works solely to counteract the electric force acting on the charge. This ensures the charge does not
accelerate or decelerate, maintaining a constant speed.
- Electric potential (𝑉) is a scalar quantity.
- SI unit is volt (V). 1 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡 = 1 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏.
- At infinity, electric potential (𝑉∞ ) is zero.
The electric potential V at a point P in an electric field is defined as the work done, against the electric
force, to bring a positive test charge 𝑞0 from an infinity to a point in the field (without any
acceleration) divided by the magnitude of the charge. Mathematically, it is expressed as,
−𝑊∞
𝑉=
𝑞0
where 𝑊∞ is the work done by the electric force on a positive test charge 𝑞0 to brought it from an
infinite distance to the point 𝑃. The electric potential (𝑉) can be positive or negative. As the work is
done against the electric force, work is negative, and so is the electric potential.
Electric Potential Energy: Electric potential energy is the energy stored in a charge or system of
charges due to its position in an electric field. It arises from the interaction between charged objects.
If a particle with positive charge 𝑞 is placed at a point
𝑃, where the electric potential of a positively charged
object is 𝑉 then the electric potential energy 𝑈 of the
particle-object system is given by,
𝑈 = 𝑞𝑉
Here, 𝑈 is the electric potential energy that is stored
in the system.
- Thus, the electric potential is the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge when a
positive test charge is brought in from infinity.
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
Electric potential energy (U): Electric potential energy is a form of potential energy that is
associated with the position of charged particles within an electric field. It represents the work done
to move a charged particle from one point to another within the electric field.
MOTION THROUGH AN ELECTRIC FIELD
When a charged particle, such as, electron or proton, moves through an electric field it undergoes a
change in voltage. This change in voltage influences energy and motion of the particle.
- The change in voltage, also known as the potential difference, determines the work done on or
by the particle as it moves through the electric field.
If the particle moves from an initial point 𝑖 to a second point 𝑓 in the electric field of a charged object,
the change in electric potential (∆𝑉) is given by,
∆𝑉 = 𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖
If the particle with charge +𝑞 moves through a potential difference ∆𝑉, the change in the electric
potential energy (∆𝑈) is,
∆𝑈 = 𝑞∆𝑉 = 𝑞(𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 )
- Change in potential energy (∆𝑈) can be positive or negative, depending on the signs of 𝑞 and ∆𝑉.
- It can also be zero, if there is no change in potential from 𝑖 to 𝑓.
- As the electric force is conservative, the change in potential energy (∆𝑈) between 𝑖 and 𝑓 is the
same for all paths between those points (as it is path independent).
Work by the electric field:
The change in potential energy (∆𝑈) is related to the work (𝑊) done by the electric force as the
particle moves from 𝑖 to 𝑓 by applying the general relation for a conservative force,
𝑊 = −∆𝑈 = −𝑞∆𝑉 = −𝑞(𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 )
NOTE: When the unit positive charge moves towards other positive charge, through an electric
field produced by that charge, the work done by electric force 𝐹⃗𝐸 is negative. Since, the direction
of that force is directed away from the positive source charge and the displacement of the unit
charge is towards that source charge.
- A negative potential energy means that work must be done against the electric field in moving
the charges apart.
Conservation of Energy: If a charged particle moves through an electric field with no force acting
on it other than the electric force due to the field, then the mechanical energy is conserved.
If a particle moves through a change ∆𝑉 in electric potential without an applied force acting on it,
applying the conservation of mechanical energy gives the change in kinetic energy as
𝑈𝑖 + 𝐾𝑖 = 𝑈𝑓 + 𝐾𝑓
𝐾𝑓 − 𝐾𝑖 = −(𝑈𝑓 − 𝑈𝑖 )
∆𝐾 = −∆𝑈 = −𝑞∆𝑉 = −𝑞(𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 )
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
Work by an Applied Force: If an external force acts on the particle, doing work 𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝 , the change
in kinetic energy is,
(𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦) + (𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑏𝑦 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒) = (𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)
𝑈𝑖 + 𝐾𝑖 + 𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝 = 𝑈𝑓 + 𝐾𝑓
𝐾𝑓 − 𝐾𝑖 = −(𝑈𝑓 − 𝑈𝑖 ) + 𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝 ⇒ ∆𝐾 = −∆𝑈 + 𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝 = −𝑞∆𝑉 + 𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝
For the special case when ∆𝐾 = 0, the work of an applied force involves only the motion of the
particle through a potential difference:
𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝 = 𝑞∆𝑉 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐾𝑖 = 𝐾𝑓 )
CHECKPOINT: In the figure, we move a proton from point 𝑖
to point 𝑓 in a uniform electric field. Is positive or negative work
done by (a) the electric field and (b) our force? (c) Does the
electric potential energy increase or decrease? (d) Does the
proton move to a point of higher or lower electric potential?
ANSWER: (a) negative; (b) positive; (c) increase; (d) higher
PROBLEM: Electrons are continually being knocked out of
air molecules in the atmosphere by cosmic-ray particles
coming in from space. Once released, each electron
experiences an electric force 𝐹⃗ due to the electric field 𝐸⃗⃗ that
is produced in the atmosphere by charged particles already on
Earth. Near Earth’s surface the electric field has the magnitude
𝐸 = 150 𝑁/𝐶 and is directed downward. What is the change
∆𝑈 in the electric potential energy of a released electron when Fig. An electron in the atmosphere is
the electric force causes it to move vertically upward through moved upward through displacement
a distance 𝑑 = 520 𝑚 (Fig.)? Through what potential change 𝑑⃗ by an electric force 𝐹⃗ due to an
does the electron move? electric field 𝐸⃗⃗ .
ANSWER: The work done by the constant force 𝐹⃗ on a particle undergoing a displacement 𝑑⃗ is,
𝑊 = 𝐹⃗ . 𝑑⃗
Since, 𝐹⃗ = 𝑞𝐸⃗⃗ , where 𝑞 refers to the charge of electron 𝑞 = 𝑒 = −1.6 × 10−19 𝐶
Therefore, 𝑊 = 𝑞𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑⃗ = 𝑞𝐸𝑑 cos 𝜃
where 𝜃 is the angle between the directions of 𝐸⃗⃗ and 𝑑⃗. The field 𝐸⃗⃗ is directed downward and the
displacement 𝑑⃗ is directed upward; So 𝜃 = 180°. Therefore,
𝑁
𝑊 = (−1.6 × 10−19 𝐶) (150 ) (520 𝑚) cos 180° = 1.2 × 10−14 𝐽
𝐶
Thus, ∆𝑈 = −𝑊 = −1.2 × 10−14 𝐽
Thus during 520 m ascent, the electric potential energy of the electron decreases by 1.2 × 10−14 𝐽
∆𝑈 −1.2 × 10−14 𝐽
∆𝑉 = = = 7.5 × 104 𝑉 = 75 𝑘𝑉
−𝑞 −1.6 × 10−19 𝐶
Thus, the electric force does work to move the electron to a higher potential.
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
PROBLEM 24-01: A particular 12 𝑉 car battery can send a total charge of 84 𝐴. ℎ (ampere-hours)
through a circuit, from one terminal to the other. (a) How many coulombs of charge does this
represent? (b) If this entire charge undergoes a change in electric potential of 12 𝑉, how much
energy is involved?
PROBLEM 24-02: The electric potential difference between the ground and a cloud in a particular
thunderstorm is 1.2 × 109 𝑉. In the unit electron-volts, what is the magnitude of the change in the
electric potential energy of an electron that moves between the ground and the cloud?
PROBLEM 24-03: Suppose that in a lightning flash the potential difference between a cloud and
the ground is 1.0 × 109 𝑉 and the quantity of charge transferred is 30 𝐶. (a) What is the change in
energy of that transferred charge? (b) If all the energy released could be used to accelerate a
1000 𝑘𝑔 car from rest, what would be its final speed?
EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACE AND THE ELECTRIC FIELD
An equipotential surface is a hypothetical surface in space where all points have the same electric
potential.
- The electric potential at any point on an
equipotential surface remains constant.
- No work is required to move a charged
particle along an equipotential surface as
there is no change in electric potential.
- Equipotential surfaces are always
perpendicular to the direction of the electric
field.
o This is because if there were a component
of electric field along the surface, charges Fig. Portions of four equipotential surfaces at electric
would experience a force, and the potentials 𝑉1 = 100 𝑉, 𝑉2 = 80 𝑉,𝑉3 = 60 𝑉, and 𝑉4 =
potential would not be constant. 40 𝑉. Four paths along which a test charge may move are
shown. Two electric field lines are also indicated.
- This usually refers to a scalar potential, although it can also be applied to vector potentials.
As the points on an equipotential surface all have the same electric potential, the work done on a test
charge in moving it from one such surface to another is independent of the locations of the initial and
final points on these surfaces and of the path that joins the points.
- The electric field 𝐸⃗⃗ is always directed perpendicularly to corresponding equipotential surfaces.
Figure shows a family of equipotential surfaces associated with the electric field due to some
distribution of charges.
- The work done by the electric field on a charged particle as the particle moves from one end to
the other of paths I and II is zero because each of these paths begins and ends on the same
equipotential surface and thus there is no net change in potential.
- The work done as the charged particle moves from one end to the other of paths III and IV is not
zero but has the same value for both these paths because the initial and final potentials are identical
for the two paths; that is, paths III and IV connect the same pair of equipotential surfaces.
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
CALCULATING THE POTENTIAL FROM THE ELECTRIC FIELD
The potential difference between any two points 𝑖 and 𝑓 in an electric field can be calculated if the
electric field vector along any path connecting those points is known.
Let us consider an arbitrary electric field,
represented by the field lines as shows in Figure, and
a positive test charge 𝑞0 moves along the path from
point 𝑖 to point 𝑓.
- At any point on the path, an electric force 𝐹⃗ =
𝑞0 𝐸⃗⃗ acts on the charge as it moves through a
differential displacement 𝑑𝑠⃗.
- Therefore, the differential work 𝑑𝑊 done on a
particle by a force is given by, Fig. A test charge 𝑞0 moves from point 𝑖 to point 𝑓
along the path shown in a nonuniform electric field.
𝑑𝑊 = 𝐹⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗ = 𝑞0 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗ [∵ 𝐹⃗ = 𝑞0 𝐸⃗⃗ ] During a displacement 𝑑𝑠⃗, an electric force 𝑞0 𝐸⃗⃗ acts
on the test charge. This force points in the direction
𝑓 of the field line at the location of the test charge.
Therefore, total work, 𝑊 = 𝑞0 ∫𝑖 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗
𝑓
Again, 𝑊 = −∆𝑈 = −𝑞0 (𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 ) = 𝑞0 ∫𝑖 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗
𝑓
The electric potential difference between two points 𝑖 and 𝑓 is, 𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 = − ∫𝑖 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗
where the integral is taken over any path connecting the points.
Considering the charge initially at infinity then 𝑉𝑖 = 𝑉∞ = 0. And if the potential at a particular point
in known as 𝑉𝑓 = 𝑉, we get,
𝑓
𝑉 = − ∫ 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗
𝑖
In a uniform field of magnitude 𝐸, the change in potential from a higher equipotential surface to a
lower one, separated by distance (∆𝑥) is,
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓
∆𝑉 = − ∫ 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗ = − ∫ 𝐸 𝑑𝑠 cos 0° = −𝐸 ∫ 𝑑𝑠 = −𝐸∆𝑥
𝑖 𝑖 𝑖
CHECKPOINT: The figure here shows a
family of parallel equipotential surfaces (in
cross section) and five paths along which we
shall move an electron from one surface to
another. (a) What is the direction of the electric
field associated with the surfaces? (b) For each
path, is the work we do positive, negative, or
zero? (c) Rank the paths according to the work
we do, greatest first.
ANSWER: (a) rightward; (b) 1, 2, 3, 5: positive; 4, negative; (c) 3, then 1, 2, and 5 tie, then 4
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
PROBLEM: (a) Figure a shows two
points 𝑖 and 𝑓 in a uniform electric
field 𝐸⃗⃗ . The points lie on the same
electric field line (not shown) and are
separated by a distance 𝑑. Find the
potential difference 𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 by
moving a positive test charge 𝑞0 from
𝑖 to 𝑓 along the path shown, which is
parallel to the field direction.
(b) Now find the potential difference
𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 by moving the positive test
charge 𝑞0 from 𝑖 to 𝑓 along the path Fig. (a) A test charge q0 moves in a straight line from point i to
point f, along the direction of a uniform external electric field. (b)
icf shown in Fig. b. Charge q0 moves along path icf in the same electric field.
ANSWER: (a) A path in the direction of an electric field line in a uniform field is given by,
𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 = −𝐸𝑑
(b) The test charge is moved along a path that consists of two lines: ic and cf. At all points along
line ic, the displacement 𝑑𝑠⃗ of the test charge is perpendicular to 𝐸⃗⃗ . Thus, the angle 𝜃 between 𝐸⃗⃗
and 𝑑𝑠⃗ is 90°, and the dot product is 0.
From the equation we find that, points 𝑖 and 𝑐 are at the same potential: 𝑉𝑐 − 𝑉𝑖 = 0. The points are
on the same equipotential surface, which is perpendicular to the electric field lines.
For line cf we have 𝜃 = 45° and thus we have,
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓
𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 = − ∫ 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗ = − ∫ 𝐸(cos 45°) 𝑑𝑠 = −𝐸(cos 45°) ∫ 𝑑𝑠
𝑖 𝑖 𝑖
The integral in this equation is just the length of line cf; From figure (b) length is 𝑑/ cos 45°. Thus
𝑑
𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 = −𝐸(𝐶𝑜𝑠 45°) = −𝐸𝑑
cos 45°
This is the same result we obtained in (a), as it must be; the potential difference between two points
does not depend on the path connecting them.
PROBLEM 24-04: Two large, parallel, conducting plates are 12 𝑐𝑚 apart and have charges of
equal magnitude and opposite sign on their facing surfaces. An electric force of 3.9 × 10−15 𝑁 acts
on an electron placed anywhere between the two plates. (Neglect fringing.) (a) Find the electric
field at the position of the electron. (b) What is the potential difference between the plates?
PROBLEM 24-06: When an electron moves from A to B along
an electric field line in Figure, the electric field does
3.94 × 10−19 𝐽 of work on it. What are the electric potential
differences (a) 𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 , (b) 𝑉𝐶 − 𝑉𝐴 , and (c) 𝑉𝐶 − 𝑉𝐵 ?
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
PROBLEM 24-09: An infinite nonconducting sheet has a surface charge density 𝜎 =
+5.80 𝑝𝐶/𝑚2 . (a) How much work is done by the electric field due to the sheet if a particle of
charge 𝑞 = +1.60 × 10−19 𝐶 is moved from the sheet to a point 𝑃 at distance 𝑑 = 3.56 𝑐𝑚 from
the sheet? (b) If the electric potential 𝑉 is defined to be zero on the sheet, what is 𝑉 at 𝑃?
PROBLEM 24-10: Two uniformly charged, infinite, nonconducting planes are parallel to a yz
plane and positioned at 𝑥 = −50 𝑐𝑚 and 𝑥 = +50 𝑐𝑚. The charge densities on the planes are
−50 𝑛𝐶/𝑚2 and +25 𝑛𝐶/𝑚2 , respectively. What is the magnitude of the potential difference
between the origin and the point on the x axis at 𝑥 = +80 𝑐𝑚?
PROBLEM 24-11: A nonconducting sphere has radius 𝑅 = 2.31 𝑐𝑚 and uniformly distributed
charge 𝑞 = +3.50 𝑓𝐶. Take the electric potential at the sphere’s center to be 𝑉0 = 0. What is 𝑉 at
radial distance (a) 𝑟 = 1.45 𝑐𝑚 and (b) 𝑟 = 𝑅.
POTENTIAL DUE TO A CHARGE PARTICLE
Electric potential is defined as the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from a reference
point to a specific point against the electric field. When an object is moved against the electric field,
it gains energy which is defined as electric potential energy (𝑈).
Let us consider, a point 𝑃 at distance 𝑅 from a fixed positive source charge 𝑞 (Figure). If a positive
test charge 𝑞0 is moved from infinity to the point P. Then the work done is,
𝑑𝑊 = 𝐹⃗ . 𝑑𝑠⃗ = 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 cos 𝜃 … … … (1)
The electric field (Figure) is directed radially outward from the fixed particle like positive point
charge. Thus, the differential displacement 𝑑𝑠⃗ of the test charge 𝑞0 along its path has the opposite
direction to the 𝐹⃗ . Therefore, the angle between the direction of the electric field and the displacement
𝜃 = 180°, and cos 𝜃 = cos 180° = −1. Since, the path is radial, 𝑑𝑠 can be replaced by 𝑑𝑟.
Substituting the limits R and ∞, we can write Eq. as
1 𝑞𝑞0 1 𝑞𝑞0
𝑑𝑊 = −𝐹 𝑑𝑟 = − 𝑑𝑟 [∵ 𝐹 = ] … … … (2)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
The total work is done in moving the charge 𝑞0 from infinity to the point 𝑃 is can be obtain by
integrating for the limits ∞ and 𝑅, we get,
𝑞𝑞0 R 1 𝑞𝑞0 1 𝑅 𝑞𝑞0 1 1 1 𝑞𝑞0
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑑𝑊 = − ∫ 2 𝑑𝑟 = [ ] = ( − )= … … … (3)
4𝜋𝜀0 ∞ 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 ∞ 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 ∞ 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
This is negative work as the direction of force and displacement of the charge is in opposite direction.
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
The electric potential 𝑉 at a distance 𝑅 from the source charge 𝑞 is the work done per unit charge 𝑞0
to move it from infinity to that point. Therefore,
𝑊 1 𝑞
∆𝑉 = 𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 = = … … … (4)
𝑞0 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
Putting 𝑉𝑓 = 𝑉 (at 𝑅), and 𝑉𝑖 = 𝑉∞ = 0 (𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦 (∞)). Then, for the magnitude of the electric
field at the site of the test charge, we can write,
1 𝑞
𝑉−0= … … … (5)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
Now, switching 𝑅 to 𝑟, we can have the electric potential 𝑉 due to a particle of charge 𝑞 at any radial
distance 𝑟 from the particle can be written as,
1 𝑞
𝑉= … … … (4)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
Here 𝑉 has the same sign as 𝑞. Therefore, a positively charged particle produces a positive electric
potential. A negatively charged particle produces a negative electric potential.
POTENTIAL DUE TO A GROUP OF CHARGED PARTICLES
The net electric potential at a point due to a group of charged particles can be found with the help of
the superposition principle. The potential resulting from each charge at the given point is calculated
separately, followed by summing the potentials. Thus, for n charges, the net potential is,
𝑛 𝑛
1 𝑞𝑖
𝑉 = ∑ 𝑉𝑖 = ∑
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟𝑖
𝑖−1 𝑖=1
Here 𝑞𝑖 is the value of the ith charge and 𝑟𝑖 is the radial distance of the given point from the ith charge.
The sum is an algebraic sum, of the individual potentials, with no consideration of directions.
CHECKPOINT: Figure here shows three arrangements of two protons. Rank the arrangements
according to the net electric potential produced at point P by the protons, greatest first.
ANSWER: All tie
Electric potential is scalar quantity. Sign of 𝑉 depends on the sign of charge (q). Since, both
charges in the arrangements are positive and located at identical distances.
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PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
QUESTION 24-01: Figure shows eight particles that form a
square, with distance 𝑑 between adjacent particles. What is the
net electric potential at point 𝑃 at the center of the square if we
take the electric potential to be zero at infinity?
ANSWER:
𝑞
𝑉=−
𝜋𝜀0 𝑑
We can write a general equation for the electric potential,
1 𝑞𝑖
𝑉= ∑
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟𝑖
The electric potential from each charge cancels out with an equal and opposite charge, except for
the −2𝑞 charges at the top and bottom of the square.
We can find an expression for the net electric potential:
1 −2𝑞 −2𝑞 4𝑞 𝑞
𝑉= ( + )=− =−
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑑 𝑑 4𝜋𝜖0 𝑑 𝜋𝜖0 𝑑
PROBLEM: What is the electric potential at
point 𝑃, located at the center of the square of
charged particles shown in Figure a? The
distance 𝑑 is 1.3 𝑚, and the charges are
𝑞1 = +12 𝑛𝐶, 𝑞3 = +31 𝑛𝐶
𝑞2 = −24 𝑛𝐶, 𝑞4 = +17 𝑛𝐶
Figure. (a) Four charged particles. (b) The closed curve
is a (roughly drawn) cross section of the equipotential
surface that contains point P.
1 𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞3 𝑞4 1
ANSWER: We have, 𝑉 = ∑4𝑖−1 𝑉𝑖 = ( + + + )= (𝑞1 + 𝑞2 + 𝑞3 + 𝑞4 )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
𝑑
The distance, 𝑟 = = 0.919 𝑚
√2
And the sum of the charges is,
𝑞1 + 𝑞2 + 𝑞3 + 𝑞4 = (12 − 24 + 31 + 17) × 10−9 𝐶 = 36 × 10−9 𝐶
(8.99 × 109 𝑁. 𝑚2 /𝐶 2 )(36 × 10−9 𝐶)
𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠, 𝑉 = ≈ 350 𝑉
0.919 𝑚
Close to any of the three positively charged particles in Fig. a, the potential has very large positive
values. Close to the single negative charge, the potential has very large negative values. Therefore,
there must be points within the square that have the same intermediate potential as that at point P.
The curve in Fig. b shows the intersection of the plane of the figure with the equipotential surface
that contains point P.
9
PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
PROBLEM: (a) In Fig. a, 12 electrons (of charge
e) are equally spaced and fixed around a circle of
radius R. Relative to 𝑉 = 0 at infinity, what are the
electric potential and electric field at the center 𝐶
of the circle due to these electrons?
(b) The electrons are moved along the circle until
they are nonuniformly spaced over a 120° arc (Fig.
b). At 𝐶, find the electric potential and describe the
electric field.
Figure. (a) Twelve electrons uniformly spaced
around a circle. (b)The electrons nonuniformly
spaced along an arc of the original circle.
ANSWER: (a) The electric potential V at C is the algebraic sum of the electric potentials
contributed by all the electrons. Because electric potential is a scalar, the orientations of the
electrons do not matter. (2) The electric field at C is a vector quantity and thus the orientation of
the electrons is important.
As all electrons have same negative charge −𝑒 and are all the same distance 𝑅 from 𝐶, we get
1 𝑒
𝑉 = −12
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
Because of symmetry of the arrangement in Fig. a, electric field vector at C due to any given
electron is canceled by the field vector due to electron that is diametrically opposite it. Thus, at C,
𝐸⃗⃗ = 0
1 𝑒
(b) The potential is still given by, 𝑉 = −12
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
because the distance between C and each electron is unchanged and orientation is irrelevant. The
electric field is no longer zero, however, because the arrangement is no longer symmetric. A net
field is now directed toward the charge distribution.
PROBLEM 24-12: As a space shuttle moves through the dilute ionized gas of Earth’s ionosphere,
the shuttle’s potential is typically changed by −1.0 𝑉 during one revolution. Assuming the shuttle
is a sphere of radius 10 𝑚, estimate the amount of charge it collects.
PROBLEM 24-13: What are (a) the charge and (b) the charge density on the surface of a
conducting sphere of radius 0.15 𝑚 whose potential is 200 𝑉 (with 𝑉 = 0 at infinity)?
PROBLEM 24-14: Consider a particle with
charge 𝑞 = 1.0 𝜇𝐶, point 𝐴 at distance 𝑑1 =
2.0 𝑚 from 𝑞, and point 𝐵 at distance 𝑑2 =
1.0 𝑚. (a) If 𝐴 and 𝐵 are diametrically
opposite each other, as in Figure a, what is the
electric potential difference 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 ?
(b) What is that electric potential difference if A and B are located as in Figure b?
10
PHY-108 Module 04: Electric Potential
PROBLEM 24-17: In Figure, what is the net electric potential at
point 𝑃 due to the four particles if 𝑉 = 0 at infinity, 𝑞 = 5.00 𝑓𝐶, and
𝑑 = 4.00 𝑐𝑚?
PROBLEM 24-18: Two charged particles are
shown in Fig. a. Particle 1, with charge 𝑞1 , is fixed
in place at distance d. Particle 2, with charge 𝑞2 , can
be moved along the x axis. Figure b gives the net
electric potential V at the origin due to the two
particles as a function of the x coordinate of particle
2. The scale of the x axis is set by 𝑥𝑠 = 16.0 𝑐𝑚.
The plot has an asymptote of 𝑉 = 5.76 × 10−7 𝑉 as
𝑥 → ∞. What is 𝑞2 in terms of 𝑒?
11
