Electric Potential and Potential Energy Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of electric potential, potential difference, point charges, potential gradient, and work done in electric fields based on the lecture.

Electric Potential

The work done per unit positive test charge ($\frac{W}{q_0}$) in moving a charge from a point of infinity to a specific point inside an electric field in a non-accelerated (quasi-static) manner against the electric field.

Point of Infinity

A location just outside an electric field where no electric force acts on a charge, defined as having an electric potential of zero ($0\,\text{V}$).

Volt

The SI unit of electric potential and potential difference, equal to one Joule per Coulomb (1\,\text{V} = 1\,\text{J\,C^{-1}}).

Potential due to a Point Charge

The electric potential produced at a distance $r$ from a source charge $q$, expressed mathematically as $V = \frac{k\,q}{r}$.

Negative Gradient of Potential

The relationship $E = -\frac{\Delta V}{\Delta r}$, defining electric field intensity as the negative rate of change of potential with distance, indicating that potential decreases along electric field lines.

External Agent

An outside force required to perform work on a charge to move it against the electric field at a uniform velocity without acceleration.

Potential inside a Charged Hollow Sphere

The constant potential maintained throughout the interior of a charged hollow sphere, equal to its value at the surface because the internal electric field is zero ($E = 0$).

Superposition Principle for Electric Potential

The principle stating that the total electric potential at a point due to multiple point charges is the algebraic scalar sum of the individual potentials ($V_{\text{net}} = V_1 + V_2 + V_3 + \dots$).

Work Done Moving Against the Field

When a positive charge moves against an electric field, the work done by the external force is positive, whereas the work done by the electric field force is negative.

Surface Potential of a Nucleus

The electric potential at the surface of a nucleus containing $Z$ protons, calculated using $V = \frac{k\,Z\,e}{R}$, where $e$ is the elementary charge ($1.6 \times 10^{-19}\,\text{C}$) and $R$ is the nuclear radius.