23. electric potential

Electrical Energy

An indispensable ingredient of our technological society.

Potential

A key concept crucial for understanding how electric circuits work.

Work Done

The work done by a force is given by a line integral over the displacement.

Work-Energy Theorem

The change in kinetic energy during a displacement equals the total work done on the particle.

Electric Potential Energy

The work done by the electric field can be calculated as the product of force magnitude and displacement.

Coulomb’s Law

Gives the force between charged particles: F = [1 / (4 π ε0)] [qq0 / r²].

Electric Potential Energy of Two Point Charges

Given by U = [1 / (4 π ε0)] [qq0 / r], proportional to (1/r).

Equipotential Surface

A three-dimensional surface where the electric potential is the same at every point.

Voltage

The difference in electric potential between two points, measured in volts.

Electron Volt

A unit of energy equal to the energy gained by a charge of one coulomb moved through an electric potential difference of one volt.

Potential Gradient

Describes the relationship between electric field and potential, defined as E = -∇V.