C25 - Electric Potential

Electric potential difference

• positive particles move towards lower e-potential

• negative particles move towards higher e-potential

electron volts (eV)

1 eV = 1.6 × 10^-19 C • 1 V = 1.6 × 10^-19 J

• The energy change resulting in moving one e-charge (±1.6 × 10^-19 C) through a distance of 1 V

Electric potential (uniform field)

• ∆V = -Ed

• ∆U = -qEd

  • d = parallel distance across field line

  • E-field lines always point towards DECREASE in potential energy ↓ ↓ ↓

Electric potential & energy (point-charge)

total potential energy (multiple point-charges)

Electric potential (continuous distribution)

equi-potential surface

surface/area on which all points have equivalent V

electric field from potential

*-∇V

corona discharge

visible heat & light radiation from conductors near an E-field in high-voltage systems

• ionization