chapter 17 - electric potential stuff

conservative force

work done by this type of force in moving an object between any two positions is independent of the path taken

deltaPE = -W

change in the potential energy between any two points equals the negative of the work done by a conservative force on an object as it moves from one point to another

W = F(d) = E(q)(d)

work done by the electric field to move a charge some distance

positive plate

positive charge has the greatest potential energy here

negative plate

negative charge has the greatest potential energy here

electric potential

electric potential energy per unit charge

V=PE/q

electric potential formula

delta V = delta PE/q

potential difference formula

postive plate to negative plate

movement of positive test charge

negative plate to positive plate

movement of negative test charge

volt

SI unit of electric potential

voltage

SI unit of potential difference

V = k(Q)/r

electric potential of a point charge - electric potential at a distance r from charge Q

W = -q(delta V)

work formula derived from change in potential energy formula (delta PE = q(delta V)); work done by the electric field to move a positive charge from intial point to final point is equal to the negative change in potential energy

delta V= (E)(d)

potential difference and electric field relationship; electric field points in decreasing electric potential

1N/C = 1V/M

SI units of Electric field equal one another

equipotenial lines

lines that are perpendicular to electric field lines; all points on this line have the same electric potential; the potential difference is zero, so no work is required to move a charge from one point to another on this line