-> energy stored in a uniform electric field

w/c can be used to move the charges

present in the field (by exerting force)

Wa b  U a  U b  U
Wa b  Fd  q0 Ed
Work done by
electric field / force

U  qEy Potential energy

depends on position

Wa b   System loses U

Wa b   System gains U
2
Work is done by Work is done by
electric force external force

3
Work is done by Work is done by
external force electric force

4
-> energy stored in a system of electrical
charges

-> the work done by the electric field

doesn’t depend on the path
For a system of two charges,

U  Fr
q1q2 Coulomb’s Law for
U k electric potential
energy
r
U  The charges will have a potential to move towards each other
U  The charges will have a potential to move away from each other
5
For a system of several point charges,

Electric potential energy associated with a charge q1

Total potential energy of the system

qi q j
U tot  k   U12  U 23  
i j rij
6
Two point charges are located on the x-axis, q1=-e at x=0 and q2=+e at x=a. (a) Find the
work that must be done by an external force to bring a third point charge q3=+e from
infinity to x=2a. (b) Find the potential energy of the system of three charges.

7
-> electric potential energy per unit charge
(electric field is electric force per unit charge)

U
V  U  qV
q
J N m
-> SI unit is volt (V) 1V  1  1
C C
Wab U a U b
Vab   
q q q
Vab  Va  Vb Potential difference of a wrt b (VOLTAGE)
-> work done by the electric force when a unit charge
moves from a to b.
8
 U
V 
q
q Coulomb’s Law for
V k Electric Potential
r

Vtot  V1  V2  

9
 b  
Vab   E dl
a

Equipotential surface
(same electric potential)
10
-> the quantity of potential energy required for an
electron to move through a potential difference of
1V
19
1eV  1.602 10 J

11
A proton moves in a straight line from point a to point b inside a linear accelerator, a total
distance d=0.50m. The electric field is uniform along this line, w/ magnitude E=1.5x107V/m
in the direction from a to b. Determine (a) the force on the proton; (b) the work done on
it by the field; (c) the potential difference Vab.

An electric dipole consists of two point charges, q1=1C and

q2=-1C, placed 10cm apart. (a) Compute the potential at
points a, b, and c. (b) What is the potential difference if a
particle moves from (i) a to b; (ii) b to c (iii) b to a?

(a) Compute the potential energy associated w/ a point

charge q3=1C if it is placed at points a, b, and c. (b) What
is the work done if the particle moves from (i) a to b;
(ii) b to c (iii) b to a?
12
-> a surface or a line with the same electric potential

-> electric field lines and equipotential surfaces are mutually

perpendicular

13
14