Electric Potential

Electric Potential

1. 1) Relationship with:

   • a. Work
     • Electric Potential can be used to perform work - when a force is applied over a distance
   • b. Potential Energy
     • Electric potential is the electric potential energy per unit charge
   • c. Electric Field
     • Electric Field is: 1) is described as the amount of force per charge, 2) measured in Newtons per Coulomb, and 3) is a vector quantity
     • Electric Potential is: 1) described as the amount of energy or work per charge, 2) measured in Joules per Coulomb, and 3) is a scalar quantity

2. Equipotential Surfaces

   • Surfaces (not necessarily physical surfaces) which are at equal electric potential
   • Thus, between any 2 points on the surface ΔV=0
   • This implies that no work can be done by the electric field to move an object along the surface
   • Perpendicular to the direction of the electric field (the field lines).

3. The electric potential, or voltage, is defined as the electric potential energy per charge.

   • Voltage = Joules / Coulumb

4. can only measure the difference in potential when we set our reference points

5. Positive Charge

   • Gain Kinetic Energy, Lose Potential Energy

6. Negative Charge

   • Lose Kinetic Energy, Gain Potential Energy

7. Formula

   • Electric Potential: V = kq/r