Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.

Work of a force. Electric potential energy of a charge in an electric field.

• The concept of work will be our starting point in the consideration of electric potential energy.

If ∆𝑠𝑠⃗ is the displacement of an object, and 𝐹𝐹⃗ is the force acting on it: 𝑊𝑊 = 𝐹𝐹⃗ ∙ ∆𝑠𝑠⃗ is the work done by the force.
Then the change in the potential energy of the object is: ∆𝑈𝑈 = −𝑊𝑊.
• For an electric charge in a uniform electric field: ∆𝑈𝑈 = −𝑊𝑊 = −𝐹𝐹∆𝑠𝑠 cos 𝜃𝜃, where 𝜃𝜃 is the angle between the force
acting on charge and the displacement. Remember that 𝐹𝐹⃗ = 𝑞𝑞± 𝐸𝐸�⃗ .
• Potential energy (𝑈𝑈) is due to interaction of an object with other objects (or fields). Kinetic energy (𝐾𝐾) is due to a
motion of the object. The sum of potential and kinetic energies in a closed system conserves:
𝐾𝐾 + 𝑈𝑈 = const, or Δ𝐾𝐾 + Δ𝑈𝑈 = 0.

Q4.1. In this picture, at the instance shown, the work on the barbell is done by:

A. Gravitational force
B. External agent (the sportsman)
C. Both
D. Nobody

Q4.2. Two rocks have equal masses. Which has more gravitational potential energy?

A. Rock A.
B. Rock B.
C. They have the same potential energy.
D. Both have zero potential energy.

Q4.3. Two positive charges are equal. Which has more electric potential energy? (Neglect the interaction between
the two point charges.)
A. Charge A.
B. Charge B.
C. They have the same potential energy.
D. Both have zero potential energy.

Note an important difference between gravitational energy and electric energy:

- Gravitational potential energy is due to the mass of the object (mass is always positive)
- Electric potential energy is due to the charge of the object (charge can be positive or negative)
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
We can calculate the change in the potential energy of a charge, Δ𝑈𝑈, using two different approaches:

• From the connection between the potential energy and work, using Δ𝑈𝑈 = −𝑊𝑊
• Using energy conservation: Δ𝑈𝑈 + Δ𝐾𝐾 = 0

Q4.4a. Change in the potential energy of a charge: Two approaches.

A positive charge moves as shown. How does its potential energy change?

1. From the definition of work:

• The charge moves downwards.

• The force on the charge is upwards / downwards.

• Hence, the work of the electric force on the charge, 𝑊𝑊 = 𝐹𝐹⃗ ∙ ∆𝑠𝑠⃗, is positive / negative.
• Then the change in the potential energy, ∆𝑈𝑈 = −𝑊𝑊, is positive / negative.
2. From energy conservation:

• The charge is accelerated / decelerated by the electric field.

• Hence, its kinetic energy is increasing / decreasing.
• Then its potential energy increasing / decreasing.

Q4.4b. Apply the same arguments to a negative charge:

1. From the definition of work:

2. From energy conservation:

 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.

Q4.5. Consider a system of two charged particles, which are brought closer to each other.
a) one positive and one negative charge:

Their electric potential energy increases / decreases / stays the same. Why?

b) two positive charges:

Their electric potential energy increases / decreases / stays the same. Why?

(Note that here each charge is subject to a non-uniform field of another charge => calculating the work when one
charge is shifted towards the other one would require integration; see Q4.8 below)

Q4.6. A proton and an alpha particle (twice the charge, four times the mass of the proton) are in the uniform
electric field of a parallel-plate capacitor. Both are released from the positive plate with no initial speed.

a) Which one will have a higher kinetic energy just before hitting the negative plate?
b) Which one will have a higher speed just before hitting the negative plate?
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.

Q4.7 a). In this example, the work done by the electric force is

A. positive
B. negative
C. zero 𝜃𝜃
Then the electric potential energy for the proton increases / decreases / stays the same.

b) Compare the work done along both paths (two solid arrows vs dashed arrow) shown in
the figure.

c) Let the electric field magnitude be 𝐸𝐸, the charge be 𝑞𝑞+ , and assume that the proton travels a horizontal
distance Δ𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑎 . Find the final electric potential energy of the proton.

d) What the answer would be if you replace the proton with an electron having a charge 𝑞𝑞_ ?

A force for which the work does not depend on the path is called a conservative force. Q4.7b shows that electric force is
a conservative force.
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
Potential energy of a collection of point charges

(±) (±)
𝐾𝐾𝑞𝑞1 𝑞𝑞2
𝑈𝑈𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = (two point charges) (1)
𝑟𝑟

• This is explicitly the energy of these two charges, not the energy of just 𝑞𝑞1 or 𝑞𝑞2 .
• The superscript (±) shows that here you have to take into account the signs of 𝑞𝑞1 and 𝑞𝑞2 .

Q4.8. Extra: Prove equation (1). For simplicity, assume that both charges are positive.

a) The electric field of 𝑞𝑞1 pushes 𝑞𝑞2 as it moves from 𝑥𝑥𝑖𝑖 to 𝑥𝑥𝑓𝑓 . Find the work done by the electric force. Since the field
of the charge 𝑞𝑞1 is non-uniform, you need to integrate:
𝑥𝑥𝑓𝑓 𝑥𝑥𝑓𝑓
𝑊𝑊 = � 𝐹𝐹⃗1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥⃗ = � 𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 =
𝑥𝑥𝑖𝑖 𝑥𝑥𝑖𝑖

�⃗
𝑑𝑑𝒔𝒔

b) Assume that the potential energy of the two charges is zero when they are separated by an infinitely large
distance (when they “do not know” about each other and hence do not interact). Then the potential energy of these
two charges is:

𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛+1
Hint: The integral can be evaluated using the following formula: ∫ 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑛𝑛+1
with 𝑛𝑛 = 2.
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
Q4.9. We have to use the signs of positive and negative charges explicitly in the equation for the potential energy of
a system of two point charges.
a) The potential energy is positive / negative / zero for two like charges.
b) The potential energy is positive / negative / zero for two unlike charges.

c) At very large distances (r → ∞), the potential energy is positive / is negative / tends to zero for all combinations of
point charges.
d) Draw the graph of the potential energy for two charges, 𝑞𝑞1 and 𝑞𝑞2 , as a function of separation 𝑟𝑟 between them.
Like charges: Unlike charges:

𝑞𝑞1 > 0, 𝑞𝑞2 > 0 𝑞𝑞1 > 0, 𝑞𝑞2 < 0

𝑞𝑞1 < 0, 𝑞𝑞2 < 0 𝑞𝑞1 < 0, 𝑞𝑞2 > 0

Q4.10. A charge of +𝑄𝑄 is fixed in space. A second charge of +𝑞𝑞 was first placed at a distance 𝑟𝑟1 away from +𝑄𝑄. Then
it was moved along a straight line to a new position at a distance 𝑅𝑅 away from its starting position. The final location
of +𝑞𝑞 is at a distance 𝑟𝑟2 from +𝑄𝑄. What is the change in the potential energy of the charges during this process?
𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄
A. 𝑘𝑘 𝑅𝑅
𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄
B. 𝑘𝑘 𝑟𝑟12
𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄
C. 𝑘𝑘 𝑟𝑟22
1 1
D. 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 �𝑟𝑟 − 𝑟𝑟 �
2 1

1 1
E. 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 �𝑟𝑟 − 𝑟𝑟 �
1 2

Q4.11. An electron follows the trajectory shown from i to f. Compare its speeds at these points:

A. 𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 > 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖

B. 𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 = 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖
C. 𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 < 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖
D. Not enough information
Explain.
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
Three point charges:

(±) (±) (±) (±) (±) (±)

𝐾𝐾𝑞𝑞1 𝑞𝑞2 𝐾𝐾𝑞𝑞1 𝑞𝑞3 𝐾𝐾𝑞𝑞2 𝑞𝑞3
𝑈𝑈𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = + + (2)
𝑟𝑟12 𝑟𝑟13 𝑟𝑟23

Q4.12 a) What is the electric potential energy of the three point charges is the diagram?

b) Assume that one of the charges is now negative. What is the potential energy now?

Q4.13. Two charges which are equal in magnitude, but opposite in sign, are placed at equal distances from point A
as shown. If a third charge is added to the system and placed at point A, how does the electric potential energy of
the charge collection change?

A. Potential energy increases

B. Potential energy decreases

C. Potential energy does not change

D. The answer depends on the sign of the third charge

Write a symbolic expression for the system of three charges to explain your answer.
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
Electric Potential
It is particularly important to clearly distinguish between two physical quantities:

• Electric potential energy: energy of charged object(s) in an electric field of other charges. Notation: 𝑈𝑈.
• Electric potential: an abstract “landscape”, created by source charges, which allows us to predict what will happen to
a test charge placed at various spatial locations. Notation: 𝑉𝑉.
Electric potential can be thought of as electric potential energy per unit charge. Hence, if the potential difference
between two points in space is ∆𝑉𝑉, then the potential energy of a test charge 𝑞𝑞± , traveling between these two points, is:

∆𝑈𝑈 = 𝑞𝑞± ∆𝑉𝑉 here you have to take into account the sign of the test charge! (3)
𝐾𝐾𝑞𝑞±
 The electric potential created by a point charge 𝒒𝒒± is equal to 𝑉𝑉(𝑟𝑟) = (note that you need to account for the
𝑟𝑟
sign of the charge!). Here we set the potential to be zero very far away from the charge (when 𝑟𝑟 → ∞).
 The electric potential inside a parallel plate capacitor with an electric field 𝐸𝐸 is: 𝑉𝑉(𝑥𝑥) = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸, where 𝑥𝑥 is the
distance into the capacitor, and 𝑥𝑥 = 0 is chosen on the negative plate of the capacitor. We will prove this later.
Electric potential: how is it experienced by test particles?

The notion of electric potential allows us to easily make predictions about what a test particle will do in this “electric
landscape”. If released from rest, then:
 A positively charged particle will travel “downhill”
 A negatively charged particle will travel “uphill”

Q4.14. a) Consider a proton placed in the middle of a parallel plate capacitor shown in the figure.

Field-based approach:

• At which direction is the electric force on the proton?______________________

• In which direction it will then move? ____________________________________

A
Potential-based approach:

Draw the electric potential inside the capacitor. In which direction will the proton move?

_________________________________________________________________________

b) Now instead of a proton you have an electron at point A.

Field-based approach:

• At which direction is the electric force on the electron?_____________________

• In which direction it will then move? ____________________________________

Potential-based approach:

Draw the electric potential inside the capacitor. In which direction will the electron move?

_________________________________________________________________________
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
Let’s explore the connection Δ𝑉𝑉 ⟺ Δ𝑈𝑈 ⟺ Δ𝐾𝐾.
Q4.15. A proton is moving through a potential difference of −100 V. (Charge of a proton = +𝑒𝑒 = 1.6 x 10-19C.)

a) Will it accelerate or will it slow down?

b) What is the change in its kinetic energy?

Electric potential created by point charges (i.e. when point charges act as source charges)

We find the potential of a point (‘source’) charge from the potential energy of a system of two point charges by dividing
it by a positive ‘test’ charge:
(±)
𝑈𝑈(𝑟𝑟) 𝐾𝐾𝑞𝑞𝑠𝑠
𝑉𝑉(𝑟𝑟) = =
𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟

The sign of the source charge determines the sign of the potential.

Q4.16. What is the potential at the dot?

Note how much easier it is to add up potentials (scalars) as compared to adding up electric fields (vectors)!
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
Q4.17. At which point or points is the electric potential zero?

Identify the zero-potential points. Show your work.

Q4.18. Rank the electric potentials at the numbered points from highest to lowest (largest positive to largest
negative). Write a brief explanation for each case.
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.
Electric field vs Electric potential

Q4.19. Compare the magnitude of the electric field and the electric potential at points A and B.

The electric field strength is ____________times larger / smaller at point A than at point B.

The electric potential is ____________times larger / smaller at point A than at point B.

Q4.20. In a charged capacitor, rank the electric potential and the electric field at the three
positions from largest to smallest.

Q4.21. At the midpoint between these two equal but opposite charges,

A. 𝐸𝐸 = 0; 𝑉𝑉 = 0.
B. 𝐸𝐸 = 0; 𝑉𝑉 > 0.
C. 𝐸𝐸 = 0; 𝑉𝑉 < 0.
D. 𝐸𝐸 points right; 𝑉𝑉 = 0.
E. 𝐸𝐸 points left; 𝑉𝑉 = 0.

Q4.22. If a positive charge is released from rest, it always moves towards:

A. A stronger electric field

B. A weaker electric field
C. Higher electric potential
D. Lower electric potential
E. More than one is correct.

The general rule is:

In an electric field, a proton released from rest moves towards a (higher/lower) (potential/electric field), and an
electron released from rest moves towards a (higher/lower) (potential/electric field).
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.

Equipotential lines and equipotential surfaces

• Equipotential lines are drawn with one and the same “step”: same potential drop between any pair of two adjacent lines;
• Stronger variation of the potential (steeper slope, NOT the higher value!) = denser equipotential lines;
• “Hills” correspond to positive source charges, “craters” – to negative source charges;
• Field lines always intersect equipotential lines perpendicularly.

Q4.23. Draw equipotential lines for: a) parallel plate capacitor, b) point charge, c) dipole.

Equipotential lines are an alternative method of visualizing electric potential. You will need to develop certain fluency in
reading equipotential maps, i.e. in understanding what does that set of dashed lines tell you about electric fields and
electric forces in that part of space.
 Phys 118 – Worksheet 4: Potential energy. Electric potential.

Q4.24. a) A proton is released from rest at the dot. Afterward, the proton

A. Remains at the dot.

B. Moves upward with steady speed.
C. Moves upward with an increasing speed.
D. Moves downward with a steady speed.
E. Moves downward with an increasing speed.

Explain:

b) Now an electron is released from rest at the dot. How does your answer change?

Q4.25. What can you conclude about 𝑄𝑄1 and 𝑄𝑄2 looking at their equipotential lines?

A. 𝑄𝑄1 > 𝑄𝑄2 > 0

B. 𝑄𝑄2 > 𝑄𝑄1 > 0
C. 𝑄𝑄1 < 𝑄𝑄2 < 0
D. 𝑄𝑄2 < 𝑄𝑄1 < 0

Explain your answer.