16.

1 Coulombs Law
16.2 Electric Field
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
16.4 Electric Potential
UNIT 16 : ELECTROSTATICS
(4 hours)
Electrostatics - the study of electric
charges at rest, the forces between
them and the electric fields
associated with them.
1
2
16.1 Coulombs Law (1 hour)
SUBTOPIC :
LEARNING OUTCOMES :
a) State Coulombs law,

b) Sketch the force diagram and apply Coulombs law
for a system of point charges.
At the end of this lesson, the students should
be able to :
2 2
4
o
Qq kQq
F
r r
= =
tc
16.1 Coulombs Law
Coulombs law states that the force,F between two point
charges q
1
and q
2
is directly proportional to the product
of their magnitudes and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance separating them, r.
In equation form :
2 1
q q F
2
1
r
F
attractive force

repulsive force
electrostatic force Coulombs law equation
Unit : N(Newton)
Vector quantity
3
2
2 1
r
q kq
F =
2 2 9
C m N 10 x 9.0
constant) s Coulomb' or
constant ality proportion (called

=
=
k
k
0
4
1
tc
air) or (vacuum
space free of ty permittivi :
0
c
) (
0
2 1 2 12
m N C 8.85x10

= c
+
r
-
2
q
1
q
F
12
F
21
+
r
+
2
q
1
q
F
12
F
21
attractive force
repulsive force
F
12
: the force on charge q
1
due to charge q
2
.
F
21
: the force on charge q
2
due to charge q
1
.
16.1 Coulombs Law
4
Example of force diagram
5
r
F
0
F
2
r
1
0
2 1
q kq M =
Gradient,
Graphs above show the variation of electrostatic force
with the distance between two charges.
2
2 1
r
q kq
F =
The sign of the charge can be ignored when
substituting into the Coulombs law equation.
The sign of the charges is important in distinguishing the
direction of the electric force.
Note:
16.1 Coulombs Law
6
Example 16.1
16.1 Coulombs Law
-
cm 4.0
+ 2
q
1
q
Two point charges, q
1
=-20 nC and q
2
=90 nC, are separated
by a distance of 4.0 cm as shown in figure below.
Find the magnitude and direction of
a) the electric force on q
1
due to q
2
.
b) the electric force on q
2
due to q
1
.
c) the electric force on each charge.
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
7
16.1 Coulombs Law
-
cm 0 . 4
+ 2
q
1
q
12
F

21
F

q
1
= 2.0 x 10
-8
C, q
2
= 9.0 x 10
-8
C, r = 4.0 x 10
-2
m
Solution 16.1
a)
b)
8
16.1 Coulombs Law
Example 16.2
Three point charges lie along the x-axis as shown in figure
below.
C 4 =
2
q
C 2 =
1
q
-
+ +
C 6 =
3
q
cm 3.0 cm 5.0
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the net electric
force exerted on q
2
.
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
9
16.1 Coulombs Law
Solution 16.2
C 4 =
2
q
C 2 =
1
q
-
+ +
C 6 =
3
q
cm 3.0 cm 5.0
r
21
= 3.0 x 10
-2
m, r
23
= 5.0 x 10
-2
m
23
F

21
F

10
16.1 Coulombs Law
Example 16.3
2
q
1
q
+
3
q
-
-
12
r
13
r
u
Figure below shows the three point charges are placed in the
shape of triangular.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant
electric force exerted on q
1
.
Given q
1
=-1.2 C, q
2
=+3.7 C, q
3
=-2.3 C, r
12
=15 cm,
r
13
=10 cm, u =32 and k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
.
11
16.1 Coulombs Law
Solution 16.3
q
1
= 1.2x10
-6
C, q
2
= 3.7x10
-6
C, q
3
= 2.3x10
-6
C,
r
12
= 15x10
-2
m, r
13
= 10x10
-2
m

58
2
q
1
q
+
3
q
-
-
12
r
13
r
u
13
F

12
F

2
12
2 1
12
r
q kq
F =

N 1.78 =
12
F

2 2
6 6 9
) (15x10
) )(3.7x10 )(1.2x10 (9.0x10

=
12
F

2
13
3 1
13
r
q kq
F =

N 2.48 =
13
F

N 3.09 58 cos = + =

13 12 1
F F F
x
N 2.10 58 sin = =

13 1
0 F F
y
( ) ( )
2
y 1
2
x 1 1
F F F

+ =

N 3.78 =
1
F

=
x
y
F
F
1
1
tanu

34.2 = u
12
N 3.78 =
1
F

34.2 = u
2
q
1
q
+
3
q
-
-
12
r
13
r
u
16.1 Coulombs Law
13
16.1 Coulombs Law
Exercise
1. Two point charges of -1.0 x 10
-6
C and +2.0 x 10
-6
C
are separated by a distance of 0.30 m. What is the
electrostatics force on each particle ?
(0.20 N , directed to one another)
2. Calculate the net electrostatics force on charge
i ) q
1
ii) q
2
iii) q
3

C 2 =
2
q C 5 =
1
q
-
+ +
C 3 - =
3
q
cm 4.0 cm 2.0
(28.7 N , to the left ,
116.25 N to the right ,
87.55 N to the right)
3. Calculate the net electrostatics force on charge q
2
.
C q 2
2
=
C q 5
1
=
+
C q 3
3
=
+
-
4m
3m
(4.11 x10
-3
N , 18.4
o
below the x-axis)
14
16.1 Coulombs Law
4. What is the electrostatics force on charge q
3
?
C q 3
3
=
C q 5 . 2
1
=
+
C q 5 . 2
2
=
+
+
(0,+0.30 m)
(0,-0.30 m)
(0.43 N in the +x direction)
q
l
+ +
+
+
w
q
q
q
5. Four identical point charges (q = +10.0 C) are located
on the corners of a rectangle as shown in figure below.
The dimension of the rectangle
are l = 60.0 cm and w = 15.0
cm. Calculate the magnitude
and direction of the resultant
electric force exerted on the
charge at the lower left corner
by the other three charges.
(40.9 N at 263)
15
16
16.2 Electric field (1 hour)
SUBTOPIC :
LEARNING OUTCOMES :
a) Define electric field.
b) Define and use electric field strength, .
c) Sketch the electric field lines of isolated point charge,
two charges and uniformly charged parallel plates.
d) Sketch the electric field strength diagram and
determine electric field strength for a system of
charges.

At the end of this lesson, the students should
be able to :
o
F
E
q
=
16.2 Electric field
Definition of electric field :
A .....of space around isolated charge
where an ....... is experienced if
a . placed in the region.
Electric field around charges can be represented by
drawing a series of lines. These lines are called electric
field lines (lines of force).

The direction of electric field is tangent to the electric
field line at each point.
17
16.2 Electric field
Figures below show the electric field patterns around the
charge.
+q
-q
a. Single positive charge b. Single negative charge
Field direction
the lines point radially
. from the charge
the lines point radially
toward the charge
18
16.2 Electric field
c. Two equal point charges of opposite sign, +q and -q
+q -q
Field direction
the lines are curved and
they are directed from the
positive charge to the
negative charge.
d. Two equal positive charges, +q and + q
+q +q
X
Field
direction
(point X is neutral point )
Is defined as a point
(region) where the
resultant electric force
is zero.
It lies along the vertical
dash line.
19
e. Two opposite unequal charges, +2q and -q
16.2 Electric field
+2q
-q
Field direction
note that twice as many lines
leave +2q as there are lines
entering q.
number of lines is
proportional to magnitude of
charge.
f. Two opposite charged parallel metal plates
The electric field lines are perpendicular to the surface
of the metal plates.
The lines go directly from positive plate to the negative
plate.
The field lines are parallel and equally spaced in the
central region.Thus, in the central region, the electric
field has the same magnitude at all points (uniform)
except near the edges.
20
The field lines indicate the direction of the electric field
(the field points in the direction ..to the
field line at any point).

The lines are drawn so that the magnitude of electric
field is proportional to the number of lines crossing unit
area perpendicular to the lines. The closer the lines, the
the field.

Electric field lines start on .. charges and
end on charges, and the number starting
or ending is proportional to the magnitude of the charge.

The field lines never . because the electric
field does not have two values at the same point.
The properties of electric field lines:
16.2 Electric field
21
16.2 Electric field
The electric field strength at a point is defined as
the electric force (electrostatic) per unit positive
test charge that acts at that point in the same direction
as the force.
Electric field strength
force electric the of magnitude : F
where
charge test of magnitude : q
0
strength field electric the of magnitude : E
It is a vector quantity.
The units of electric field strength is N C
-1
or V m
-1
.
The direction of the electric field strength, E depends
on the sign of isolated charge.
22
A positive isolated point charge.
A negative isolated point charge.
q
) ( ve q
0
+
E

r
In the calculation of
magnitude E, substitute
the MAGNITUDE of the
charge only.
q
) ( ve q
0
+
F

r
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
0
2
0
q
r
kqq
E
2
0
r
kqq
F =
2
r
kq
E =
0
q
F
E = From
and
thus
charge point isolated and point
the between distance : r
16.2 Electric field
23
Example 16.5
16.2 Electric field
+
1
5 0 . q C =
2.0 cm
A
Calculate the electric field strength at point A, 2.0 cm
from a point charge q
1
.
Solution
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
24
Example 16.6
16.2 Electric field
-
1
5 0 . q C =
2.0 cm
A
Calculate the electric field strength at point A, 2.0 cm
from a point charge q
1
.
Solution
25
Example 16.6
16.2 Electric field
+ - 2
q
1
q
2 0 . cm 3 0 . cm
A
Two point charges, q
1
=1.0 C and q
2
=-4.0 C, are placed 2.0
cm and 3.0 cm from the point A respectively as shown in
figure above.
Find
a) the magnitude and direction of the electric field
intensity at point A.
b) the resultant electric force exerted on q
0
=4.0 C if it is
placed at point A.
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
26
Solution 16.6
16.2 Electric field
+ - 2
q
1
q
2 0 . cm 3 0 . cm
A
1 A
E

2 A
E

The electric field strength at point A due to the charges is

2 A
E

9
1
1
2 2 2
1
9 0 10 1 0
2 0 10
( . )( . )
( . )
A
kq
E
r

= =

13 -1
2 3 10 N C . =
Direction : to the left (q
1
)
9
2
2
2 2 2
2
9 0 10 4 0
3 0 10
( . )( . )
( . )
A
kq
E
r

= =

13 -1
4 0 10 N C . =
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
The electric field strength at point A due to the charges is
given by

2 A 1 A A
E E E

+ =
13 13
2 3 10 4 0 10 . .
A
E = +
13 -1
1 7 10 N C .
A
E =
a)
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
30
Solution 16.7
16.2 Electric field
- - 2
q
1
q
2 0 . cm 3 0 . cm
A
b)
0
A
A
q
F
E =
A 0 A
E q F =
13
6 8 10 N . =
13
4 0 1 7 10 ( . )( . )
A
F =
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
31
Example 16.8
16.2 Electric field
+ -
2
5 00 C . q =
A
-
1
8 00 C . q =
3
4 00 C . q =
Three charges are placed on three corners of a square,
as shown above. Each side of the square is 30.0 cm.
Calculate the electric field strength at point A. What
would be the force on a 6.00 C charge placed at the
point A?
32
Solution16.8
16.2 Electric field
+ -
2
5 00 C . q =
A
-
1
8 00 C . q =
3
4 00 C . q =
30.0 cm
30.0 cm
30.0 cm
42.4 cm
E
A1
E
A3
E
A2
9 6
1
1
2 2 2
1
9 0 10 8 00 10
42 4 10
( . )( . )
( . )
A
kq
E
r

= =

5 -1
4 00 10 N C . =
9 6
2
2
2 2 2
2
9 0 10 5 00 10
30 0 10
( . )( . )
( . )
A
kq
E
r

= =

5 -1
5 00 10 N C . =
9 6
3
3
2 2 2
3
9 0 10 4 00 10
30 0 10
( . )( . )
( . )
A
kq
E
r

= =

5 -1
4 00 10 N C . =
33
Solution 16.8
16.2 Electric field
+ -
2
5 00 C . q =
A
-
1
8 00 C . q =
3
4 00 C . q =
30.0 cm
30.0 cm
30.0 cm
42.4 cm
E
A1
E
A3
E
A2
5 -1
1
4 00 10 N C .
A
E =
5 -1
2
5 00 10 N C .
A
E =
5 -1
3
4 00 10 N C .
A
E =
45
o
1 3
5
45
= -1.17 10 N/C
cos
o
AX A A
E E E =

2 1
5
45
= 2.17 10 N/C
sin
o
AY A A
E E E =

2 2
5
2 46 10 N/C .
AX AY
E E E
E
= +
=

o
=61.7
tan
AY
AX
E
E
u =
u

o
=61.7 u
AX
E

AY
E

E
34
Exercise
16.2 Electric field
1. Determine
a) the electric field strength at a point X at a distance 20 cm from a
point charge Q = + 6C. (1.4 x 10 6 N/C)
b) the electric force that acts on a point charge q= -0.20 C placed at
point X. (0.28 N towards Q)


2.
+ - 2
q
1
q
20 cm
X
Two point charges, q
1
= +2.0 C and q
2
= -3.0 C, are separeted by a
distance of 40 cm, as shown in figure above. Determine
a) The resultant electric field strength at point X.
(1.13 x 10
3
kN C
-1
towards q
2
)
b) The electric force that acts on a point charge q = 0.50 C placed at X.
(0.57 N)
20 cm
35
Exercise
3. Find the magnitude of the electric field at point P due to the four
point charges as shown in the figure below if q=1 nC and d=1 cm.









4. Find the magnitude and direction
of the electric field at the centre of
the square in figure below if
q=1.0x10
-8
C and a= 5cm.
(Given c
0
=8.85 x 10
-12
C
2
N
-1
m
-2
)
(HRW. pg. 540.11)
Ans. : zero.
(Given c
0
=8.85 x 10
-12
C
2
N
-1
m
-2
)
(HRW. pg. 540.13)
Ans. : 1.02x10
5
N C
-1
,

upwards.
16.2 Electric field
36
37
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
(1 hour)
SUBTOPIC :
LEARNING OUTCOMES :
a) Explain quantitatively with the aid of a diagram the
motion of a charge in a uniform electric field.
At the end of this lesson, the students should
be able to :
Cases : 1. stationary charge
2. charge moving perpendicularly to the field
3. charge moving parallel to the field
4. charge in dynamic equilibrium
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
Figure a and Figure b show a particle with positive charge q is held stationary
and moves at constant speed respectively, in a uniform electric field, E .
The forces acted on the particle are electrostatic force (upwards)
and weight (downwards).
For the particle in static equilibrium (Figure a) and dynamic
equilibrium : moves horizontally in straight line (Figure b),
electrostatic force = weight
F
E
= W
qE = mg
Case 1 : Stationary charge
Figure a : Case 1
E

e
F

0 , 0 = = a v
W
E

e
F

0 = a

constant, ,
o
v
W
v
o
v

=0, a=0
Figure b : Case 4
Case 4 : Charge in dynamic equilibrium
(moves in straight line, consider the weigh, W of the particle)
38
E

y
0
v
v
x
0
q
F
E

-
v
y

v
x


When the electron enters the electric field , E the only
force that acts on the electron is electrostatic force , F
E
=qE.
Case 2 : Charge moving perpendicularly to the field
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
39
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
This causes the electron of mass m to accelerate downwards
with an acceleration a.
0
y
q E
a
m
=
Since the horizontal component of the velocity of the
electron remains unchanged as v
o ,
the path of the electron
in the uniform electric field is a parabola.

The time taken for the electron to tranverse the electric field
is given by
o
x
t
v
=
From
x o
R S v t = =
40
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
The vertical component of the velocity v
y
, when the electron
emerges from the electric field is given by
0
y y y
o
y
o
o
y
o
v u a t
q E x
v
m v
q Ex
v
mv
= +
| |
| |
= +
|
|
\ .
\ .
=
After emerging from the electric field, the electron travels
with constant velocity v, where
2 2
x y
v v v = +
41
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
The direction of the velocity v is at an angle
1
to the horizontal. tan
y
x
v
v

| |
u =
|
\ .
The position of the electron at time t is
0 x
s v t =
2
2
1
2
1
2
y y y
y y
s u t a t
s a t
=
=
or
2 2
2
2 where 0
2
y y y y y
y
y
y
v u a s u
v
s
a
= =

=
42
Example 16.9
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
+
-
20 mm
u
o
= 1.5 x 10
7
m/s
60 mm
An electron travelling at speed of 1.5 x 10
7
m/s enters the
space between two parallel metal plates 60 mm long. The
electric field between the plates is 4.0 x 10
3
V/m.
a) Sketch the path of the electron in between plates, and
after emerging from the space between the plates.
b) Find the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of
the electron in between the plates.
c) Calculate the vertical and horizontal components of the
electron velocity when it emerges from the space
between the plates.
d) Find the angle of deflection of the electron beam.
43
Solution 16.9
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
+
-
20 mm
u
o
= 1.5 x 10
7
m/s
60 mm
a) DIY

b)





44
Solution 16.9
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
c)
Time taken for electron to travel through the space between
the plates is
Vertical component of velocity,
Horizontal component of velocity,
d) Angle of deflection,
45
Case 3 : Charge moving parallel to the field
Consider 2 cases as shown in figure 1 and figure 2
Figure 1
E

e
F

Figure 2
E

e
F

0
v |
0
v +
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
46
Figure 1

A particle with positive charge q moves with initial velocity v
o

towards negative plate (upwards).
For a positive charge, its acceleration a is in
the direction of the electric field is given by



Since the direction of electric force is upward
(same direction and parallel to the direction of motion of
particle), the particle is then accelerated in straight line
towards negative plate with speed v, where v > v
o
.
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
qE
a
m
=
47
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
t
m
qE
v v
at v v
o
o
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
+ = ,
The velocity v of the particle after time t is given by
The displacement s after time t is given by
2
2
2
1
,
2
1
t
m
qE
t v s
at t v s
o
o
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
+ =
The displacement s in terms of velocity v is given by
|
.
|

\
|

=
+ =
m
qE
v v
a
v v
s
as v v
o o
o
2
2
, 2
2
2
2
2
2
2

48
Figure 2

A particle with negative charge q moves with initial velocity v
o

towards positive plate (downwards).
For a negative charge, its acceleration is in
the direction opposite the electric field is given by



Since the direction of electric force is downwards,
(same direction and parallel to the direction of motion of
particle), the particle is then accelerated in straight line
towards positive plate with speed v, where v > v
o

16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
qE
a
m
=
49
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
t
m
qE
v v
at v v
o
o
|
.
|

\
|
=
+ = ,
The velocity v of the particle after time t is given by
The displacement s after time t is given by
2
2
2
1
,
2
1
t
m
qE
t v s
at t v s
o
o
|
.
|

\
|
=
+ =
The displacement s in terms of velocity v is given by
|
.
|

\
|

=

=
=
m
qE
v v
a
v v
s
as v v
o o
o
2
2
, 2
2
2
2
2
2
2

50
Example 16.10
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
A pair of flat parallel metal plates A and B, are separated by
1.0 cm and the electric field strength that exists between the
plates is 1.0 kV m
-1
. An electron emerges from plate A at a
speed 5.0 x 10
6
m s
-1
and moves towards B in a linear path
which is perpendicular to B. Determine
a) the acceleration of the electron
b) the speed of the electron when it reaches B
c) the time taken by the electron to travel to B.

51
Solution 16.10
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
s= 1.0 x 10
-2
m , v
o
= 5.0 x 10
6
m s
-1
,
q = 1.6 x 10
-16
C, m
e
= 9.11 x 10
-31
kg
52
Example 16.11
16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field
An electron is released from rest and allowed to accelerate in
a straight line in a uniform electric field of strength 3.0 kV m
-1
.
Determine
a) its acceleration
b) its speed after 3.0 s.

Solution
q = 1.6 x 10
-16
C,
m
e
= 9.11 x 10
-31
kg
53
54
16.4 Electric Potential (1 hour)
SUBTOPIC :
LEARNING OUTCOMES :
a) Define electric potential.
b) Define and sketch equipotential lines and surfaces of
i) an isolated charge , ii) a uniform electric field
c) Use for a point charge and a system of charges.
d) Calculate potential difference between two points.

e) Use for uniform E.
f) Deduce the change in potential energy, between two points in
electric field.
g) Calculate potential energy of a system of point charges.
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to :
Q
V k
r
=
AB A B
BA
AB
V V V
W
V
q
=
=
V
E
d
=
U A
U q V A = A
1 3 2 3 1 2
12 13 23
q q q q q q
U k
r r r
| |
= + +
|
\ .
16.4 Electric Potential
55
The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is the
done to bring a unit positive charge from infinity
to that point. (energy required to bring 1 C of positive
charge from infinity to that point)

The electric potential at infinity is considered zero.

Scalar quantity.

Its unit is volt (V) or J/C.

Its formula is
Q
V k
r
=
( )
0 V

=
16.4 Electric Potential
56
+
r
A

Q
The electric potential at
point A at distance r from
a positive point charge Q
is
( )
A
A
Q
V k
r
Q
V k
r
+
=
=
-
r
A

Q
The electric potential at
point A at distance r from
a negative point charge Q
is
( )
A
A
Q
V k
r
Q
V k
r

=
=
Case A
Case B
16.4 Electric Potential
57
+
r
A

Q
+q
o

r =
F
E
F
ext
ext
dW F dr =
E
dW F dr =
2
1



r r r r
E
r r
r
o
r
o
o
dW F dr
W kQq r dr
W kQq r
Qq
W k
r
= =
= =

=
=
(
=

=
} }
}
0
2
but
E
kQq
F
r
=
The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is the work done to bring
a unit positive charge from infinity to that point.
0
r
A
W
V
q

=
o
A
o
A
kQq
V
q r
Q
V k
r
=
=
Case A
16.4 Electric Potential
58
-
r
A

Q
+q
o

r =
F
E
E
dW F dr =
2
1



r r r r
E
r r
r
o
r
o
o
dW F dr
W kQq r dr
W kQq r
Qq
W k
r
= =
= =

=
=
(
=

=
} }
}
0
2
but
E
kQq
F
r
=
The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is the work done to bring
a unit positive charge from infinity to that point.
0
r
A
W
V
q

=
o
A
o
A
kQq
V
q r
Q
V k
r

=
=
Case B
16.4 Electric Potential
59
Example 16.12
+
q
A
m 10
Figure above shows a point A at distance 10 m from the
positive point charge, q = 5C.
Calculate the electric potential at point A and describe
the meaning of the answer.
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
Meaning :
16.4 Electric Potential
60
Example 16.13
+ +

Q
1
=2C

Q
2
=2C

5 cm
3 cm
A
Calculate the electric potential at point A .
16.4 Electric Potential
61
Example 16.14
+ -

Q
1
=2C

Q
2
=2C

5 cm
3 cm
A
Calculate the electric potential at point A .
16.4 Electric Potential
62
Example 16.15
+
+
+
-
o
+0.01 C +0.02 C
+0.01 C -0.02 C
10 cm
10 cm
Calculate the electric potential at point O .
V
A
= 2546 V
16.4 Electric Potential
63
The potential difference between points A and B, V
AB
is
given by
q
W
V V V
BA
B A AB

= =
electric potential at point B :
B
V
electric potential at point A :
A
V
work done in bringing a charge from point B to point A :
BA
W
a charge : q
Potential Difference

q
W
V
BA
AB

=
or

AB BA
qV W =
In calculation if
i) W positive : work done by electric field
ii) W negative : work done on electric field
16.4 Electric Potential
64
Example 16.16
A point charge of q = +50 C moves from point A to point B in
an electric field. The work done by the field is 10 J.
Determine the electric p.d crossed by the charge.
16.4 Electric Potential
65
Example 16.17
A point charge of q =-2.0 C travels from point X to point Y in
an electric field, crossing a potential rise of 200 V.
a) Determine the work done in transferring the charge.
b) Is the work done on or by the electric field ?
c) An electric potential of -20 V exists at point Y. Determine
the potential at point X.
a)
Solution
b)
c)
16.4 Electric Potential
66
Example 16.18
Two point charges q
1
=+2.40 nC and q
2
=-6.50 nC are 0.100 m
apart. Point A is midway between them, point B is 0.080 m
from q
1
and 0.060 m from q
2
as shown in figure below.
1
q
+ -
2
q
B
A
m 060 . 0
m 080 . 0
m 050 . 0 m 050 . 0
Find
a) the electric potential at point A,
b) the electric potential at point B,
c) the work done by the electric field on a charge of 2.5 nC
that travels from point B to point A.
16.4 Electric Potential
67
Solution 16.18
q
1
=+2.40 nC , q
2
=-6.50 nC
1
q
+ -
2
q
B
A
m 060 . 0
m 080 . 0
m 050 . 0 m 050 . 0
a)
1 2 A A A
V V V = +
b)
1 2 B B B
V V V = +

( )
BA A B
W q V V =
c)
16.4 Electric Potential
68
Example 16.19
a) What is the electric potential at the point
i) 10 cm and
ii) 50 cm from a point charge of 2 C ?
b) Find the work done to move a charge of 0.05 C from
a point 50 cm from the point charge 2 C to a point 10 cm
from the point charge. State whether the work done by
or on the electric field.
9 6
5
10
2
9 0 10 2 10
1 8 10 V
10 10
( )
( . )( )
.
( )
cm
kq
V
r

= = =

9 6
4
50
2
9 0 10 2 10
3 6 10 V
50 10
( )
( . )( )
.
( )
cm
kq
V
r

= = =

( )
( )
50 10 10 50
-6 5 4 3
=-0.05 10 1 8 10 3 6 10 7 2 10 J
( )
. . .
cm cm cm cm
W q V V

=
=
Work done on the electric field.
a)
b)
16.4 Electric Potential
Exercise
1. What is the electric potential 11.0 cm from a 4.25 C point charge ?
(3.47 x 10
5
V)
2. What is the electric potential 2.0 x 10
-10
m from a proton (charge +e) ?
(7.2 V)
3. The electric potential and the electric field strength at a point in an
electric field produced by a point charge Q are + 500 V and 150 V/m
respectively. Determine
a) the distance of the point from the point charge (3.33 m)
b) the charge Q. (1.85 x 10
-7
C)
4. A negative point charge of 0.75 mC travelling from point X to point Y
in an electric field, experiences a pd drop of 200 V.
a) Determine the potential at point Y if a potential of +20 V exists at
point X. (+220 V)
b) Determine the work done in this charge transfer.
Is the work done on or by the field ? (-0.15 J, work done on the field)
5. A rectangle ABCD has length AB = 4.0 m and breadth AD = 3.0 m.
Point charges Q
1
= + 0.08C and Q
2
= - 0.03 C are placed at A and C
respectively. Determine
a) the electric potential V
B
-V
D
across B and D (-72.8 V)
b) the work required in moving a point charge q = =0.50 C from D to B.
(+36.4 J)
69
16.4 Electric Potential
70
Relation Between V and E
The relationship between electric field intensity E at a
point in a uniform electric field and electric potential V is
given by
d
V
E =
d
V
(uniform) E
Unit ; Vm
-1

Vector quantity : directed towards negative plate

Example 16.20
Two parallel plates are charged to a voltage of 50 V.
If the separation between the plates is 0.050 m,
calculate the electric field strength between them.
16.4 Electric Potential
Exercise
1. How strong is the electric field between twp parallel plates 5.0 mm
apart if the potential difference between them is 110 V ? (22 kV m
-1
)
2. An electric field of 800 V/m is desired between two parallel plates
6.0 cm apart. How large a voltage should be applied ? (48 V)
3. The electric field between two parallel plates connected to a
45-V battery is 600 V/m. How far apart are the plates ? (75 mm)
71
72
Equipotential Lines and Surfaces
The electric potential can be represented graphically by
drawing equipotential lines or in three dimensions,
equipotential ...
An equipotential surface is a surface on which all points
are at the same .
.. work is done when a charge moves from one point on
an equipotential surface to another point on the same
surface (because the potential difference is zero)
An equipotential surface must be . to the
electric field at any point.
16.4 Electric Potential
73
i) An isolated charge
E

C
A
B
The dashed lines represent the
equipotential surface (line).
C B A
V V V = =
) (
B A AB BA
V V q V q W = =
0 W
BA
=
16.4 Electric Potential
74
ii) A uniform electric field
The dashed lines represent the
equipotential surface (line).
C B A
V V V = =
) (
B A AB BA
V V q V q W = =
0 W
BA
=
C
A
B
E

+
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
16.4 Electric Potential
16.4 Electric Potential
75
Electric Potential Energy, U
The electric potential energy U of a charge q at a point
in an electric field is given by
75
+
r
A

Q
q
U qV =
Scalar quantity.
Its unit is joule (J).
The sign of charges must be substituted in the calculation.
-
r
A

Q
q
Exercise
What is the potential energy of an electron that is 0.53 x 10
-10
m
from a proton ? (-4.35 x 10
-18
J)
16.4 Electric Potential
The Change in Electric Potential Energy, U


AB
A B
A B
U U
U U
qV qV
A =
=
=
The difference between two electric potential energy
The difference between electric potential energy at
point A and electric potential energy at point B
76 76
16.4 Electric Potential
77
Example 16.21
77
a) What is the electric potential energy of a charge 0.05C at the point
i) 10 cm and
ii) 50 cm from a point charge of 2 C ?
b) Find the change in electric potential energy between i) and ii).
10 10


( ) ( ) cm cm
U qV
kQ
q
r
=
=
=
50 50


( ) ( ) cm cm
U qV
kQ
q
r
=
=
10 50
10 50

( )
( ) ( )
cm cm
cm cm
U U
U U

A =
=
a)
b)
16.4 Electric Potential
Electrical Potential Energy of A System of Point Charges
Consider a system with three point charges, q
1
, q
2
and q
3
.
The potential energy of the system is given by
12 13 23
1 3 2 3 1 2
12 13 23
U U U U
q q q q q q
U k
r r r
= + +
| |
= + +
|
\ .
+
+
+
q
1
q
2
q
3 r
12

r
12

r
23

The sign for the charge (+ or -) must be substituted in the calculation.
The electric potential
energy of the system of
charges is the work done
to move all the
charges from infinity to the
points where the charges
are placed.
78
16.4 Electric Potential
79
Example 16.22
79
+
+
-
q
2
= 10C

r
12
= 4.0 cm
r
23
= 5.0 cm
r
13
= 5.0 cm
q
1
= - 10C

q
3
= 10C

Calculate the potential energy for the system of charges
shown above.
12 13 23
U U U U
U
U
= + +
=
=
U = -22.5 J
16.4 Electric Potential
Exercise
80
1. A point charge Q = +9.10 C is held fixed at the origin. A second point
charge with a charge of q = -0.420 C is placed on the x -axis, 0.960 m
from the origin. Calculate the electric potential energy of the pair of
charges. (-3.58 x 10
-2
J)

2.

A D C B
20 cm 20 cm 60 cm
+200 pC -100 pC
In figure above, the charge at A is +200 pC, while the charge at B is
-100 pC.
a) Calculate the electric potentials at points C and D. (-2.25 V, +7.88 V)
b) If a charge of +500 C is placed at points C and D,
calculate the electric potential at points C and D.
(- 1.13 x 10
-3
J, 3.94 x 10
-3
J)
c) The change in potential energy between points C and D. (-5.07 mJ)
80
16.4 Electric Potential
Exercise
81
3. A point charge q
1
= +2.00 nC is placed at the origin and a second point
charge q
2
= -3.00 nC is placed on the x -axis, at x = +20.0 cm. A third
point charge q
3
= 5.00 nC is to be placed on the x -axis between q
1
and q
2
.
a) What is the electric potential energy of the system of the three charges if
q
3
is placed at x = +10.0 cm ? (-7.20 x 10
-7
J)
b) Where should q
3
be placed to make the potential energy of the system
equal to zero? (6.91 cm)

4. Three equal point charges q = 8.40 x 10
-7
C are placed at the corner of an
equilateral triangle whose side is 1.00 m. What is the potential energy of the
system? ( 19.1 mJ)


81