PHY1020, summer 2016, UOIT

Electric potential V, Potential energy U, and Capacitors and Capacitance:

chapter 28 and 29)
1- Electric potential V:
- Electric potential V from Electric field E and vice versa
- V of a point charge and of multiple point charges
- V of a parallel plate capacitor
- V of a continuous charge distribution (a charged rod)

The electric potential:

We defined the electric field E to be a modification of space due to source
charges. A test charge q in that electric field experiences a force
F = qE.

Similarly, we define the electric potential to be a

modification of space due to source charges. A test charge q
moving through a potential difference V aquires potential
energy U.
U = qV = q(Vb - Va)

The potential is a scalar quantity.

Its units are the Volt [1 V = 1 J /C].

"Potential, same as potential energy, is always determined with respect to a

reference, that can be taken arbitrary. Hence it is the difference of V between
two points in space that is uniquely defined."
Relation between V and E:
V from E: Consider a charge q moving along any chosen path from points
a and b. Because the electrical force is a conservative force, the same amount
of work is done to move the charge from a to b along different paths.
Therefore we can assign an electric potential energy Uelec to a charge placed
in an electric field.

The change in electric potential energy U by definition is the negative of the wo

W done by an electric force to move the charge.

E from V: The reverse of an integral is a derivative. If V is known everywhere

in space, E can be found everywhere.

For example, in cartesion coordinates:

E point along direction of steepest descent.

The negative of the slope along that direction gives its magnitude.
Test yourself: In the following V versus x curve,
the electric fields E in regions a, b and c satisfy:
a) |Ea| > |Eb| > |Ec|
b) |Ea| > |Ec| > |Eb|
c) |Ec| > |Ea| > |Eb|
d) E is zero everywhere

Example: The potential in Volts in a region of space is given as V = 5x2 + 2y,

where x and y are in meters. Find the electric field in vector form at the point
(x=2m, y=3m).
Equipotential surfaces:
Equipotential surfaces can be displayed as lines
or loops on a map, similar to topographic maps
(showing the heights of a place). A test charge will
move freely along these surfaces, i.e. no force
component exists parallel to these surfaces (E|| = 0).

- Features along the lines on a topographic map are at the same height. Similar,
points on a given equipotential line or surface are at the same potential.
- A lake is at the same height, as we will see a conductor is at the same potential
- A river will flow downhill, so rivers are perpendicular to the topographic lines.
Similar electric field (which dictates the acceleration of a charge) is always
perpendicular to equipotential lines.
- The electric field is strong in places where the equipotential surfaces are close.

Potential difference around a closed loop:

The potential difference around a closed path is zero (Think of the analogy of
the topographic map. To return to your starting point on your mountain hike,
you need to descend as much as you have ascended).

This is Kirchoff's loop law. It states:

The Potential of a Point Charge:
Consider a charge q placed at the origin, the potential difference between two
points a and b is then :

If we now also agree on taking the reference of potential V at r = infinity to

be zero, we can ascribe the potential V to a point that is a distance r away from the
source charge q:

Electric potential of a point charge (with the

zero potential reference taken at r = infinity).

-V is positive around a positive charge, and

negative around a negative charge.
- The zero reference of potential in the point
charge expression is taken at infinity.
For more charges qi the superposition principle holds:

V is a scalar quantity, it does not have any x or y-components!!

Example: What is the electric potential at the point indicated in figure.

Potential inside a parallel plate capacitor:
Consider a parallel plate capacitor and choose the coordinate axis x to start
at the negative plate and point towards the positive plate.
We know the electric field E between the plates is uniform and points from
the positive to the negative plate.
Using the E-V relation we can show that:
The potential at any point inside the capacitor is:

where V- is the potential of the negative plate.

If we take the reference of potential to be at the negative
plate (V- = 0), then:

Electric potential inside a capacitor

with zero potential reference at the negative plate (x = 0).

The potential difference between the two plates of a parallel plate capacitor separate
by a distance d is hence.

Inside the parallel plate capacitor, planes parallel to the capacitor plates are
equipotential surfaces (constant potential).
Test yourself: The potential difference between the plates of a parallel plate
capacitor separated by 2 mm is 3V, the electric field inside the capacitor is:
a) 1500 N/C
b) 0.006 N/C
c) not enough information

Example: The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are separated by 2.0 mm.
The plates have surface charge density = 3.54 C/m2.
a) What is the potential difference between the two plates?
b) What is the electric potential at 1.0 mm, at 1.5 mm from the negative
plate?
As usual, consider the potential of the negatvie plate to be 0 V.
a) |Vca| > |Vcb| > |Vba|
b) |Vca| = |Vcb| > |Vba|
c) |Vcb| > |Vca| > |Vba|
d) |Vca| > |Vcb| = |Vba|

Stop to think: At which point is the strength (magnitude) of the electric field
stronger?
a) There's not enough information to tell.
b) At xA.
c) At xB.
d) The field is the same strength at both.