AP Physics 2 Electric Potential Energy

Potential Difference
Capacitance

Properties of Space
Recall that an electric field is a property of space allowing predictions of the force on
a charge at that point in space.
⃗
⃗ = 𝑭𝑬
𝑬 ⃗𝑭 = 𝒒𝑬
⃗
𝒒

The E-field exists independently of the charge q and is determine by:

1 |𝑞|
𝐸⃗ =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2

Work and Energy Review

Work is defined as the product of displacement d and a parallel applied force F. 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝐹𝑑 cos 𝜃 Units: 1 J = 1 N/m
Potential Energy U is defined as the ability to do work by virtue of position or condition. Units: Joules
Kinetic Energy K is defined as the ability to do work by virtue of motion (velocity). Units: Joules

Gravitational Work and Energy

Consider external force F against g to move m from A to B, a vertical height y 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 = 𝑭𝒅 = 𝒎𝒈∆𝒚
At level B, the potential energy Ug is: ∆𝑈𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔∆𝑦

The external force F does positive work,

The gravity g does negative work and it is conservative.

The external force F against the g-field increases the potential energy, if released the g field gives work back.

Electrical Work and Energy

Consider an external force F moves +q from A to B against the field force qE 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 = 𝑭𝒅 = 𝒒𝑬𝒓
At level B, the potential energy UE is: ∆𝑈𝐸 = 𝑞𝐸𝑟 where r is the separation between A and B.

The external force F (qE) does positive work,

The electric field E does negative work and it is conservative.

The external force F against the E-field increases the potential energy, if released the E-field gives work back.

Work and Negative Charges

Consider a negative charge –q is moved against E from A to B. 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒃𝒚 𝑬 = 𝑭𝒅 = 𝒒𝑬𝒓
At level A, the potential energy UE is: ∆𝑈𝐸 = 𝑞𝐸𝑟

No external force is required!

The E-field does positive work on –q decreasing the potential energy, if released from B nothing happens.
AP Physics 2 Electric Potential Energy
Potential Difference
Capacitance
Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy
Potential is another property of space allowing us to predict the electric potential energy of any charge q at a point in space.

∆𝑼𝑬
∆𝑽 = ∆𝑼𝑬 = 𝒒∆𝑽
𝒒

Units are Joules / Coulomb (J/C) which 1 J/C = 1 Volt of Potential.

Electric Potential due to a Point Charge

𝒒𝒒
∆𝑼𝑬 ∆𝒌 𝒓 𝒌𝒒
if ∆𝑽 = and substituting ∆𝑽 = , then 𝑽 =
𝒒 𝒒 𝒓

The zero of potential is arbitrarily taken to be at infinity (r = ∞)

The potential due to a positive charge is positive (+)
The potential due to a negative charge is negative (─)

If more than one charge is present, then the potential at a particular point is
equal to the sum of the potentials due to each charge at the point in question.

Electric Potential Difference

The potential difference between two points A and B is defined as the change in potential energy (∆𝑼𝑬 ) of a charge moved from A to
B.
∆𝑼𝑬
∆𝑽𝑨𝑩 = 𝑽𝑩 − 𝑽𝑨 =
𝒒

∆𝑼𝑬 = 𝒒(𝑽𝑩 − 𝑽𝑨 ) Work BY E-field

The positive and negative signs of the charges may be used mathematically to provide appropriate signage.

note: potential difference should not be confused with potential energy. The change in potential
between two points is proportional to the change in potential energy of a charge as it moves
∆𝑼
between two points. From the equation ∆𝑽 = 𝑬 we see that the two are related. Because potential
𝒒
energy is a scalar quantity, electric potential is also a scalar quantity.

If the charged particle is in a uniform electric field, (constant in magnitude and direction), the the potential difference is related to the
E-field as:
𝑽𝑨𝑩 = 𝑬𝒓 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽

where E is the electric field strength in N/C, r is the separation between the two points in meters, and θ is the angle
between the electric field vector and the separation vector.

A voltmeter is used to measure potential difference

AP Physics 2 Electric Potential Energy
Potential Difference
Capacitance

Equipotential Lines
Lines along which each point is at the same potential. On an equipotential surface, each point on the surface is at the same potential.
The equipotential line or surface is perpendicular to the direction of the electric field lines at every point. Thus, if the electric field
pattern is known, then it is possible to determine the pattern of equipotential lines or surfaces and vice versa.

the dashed lines represent equipotential lines, and the solid lines represent the electric field lines.

Electron Volt
The energy gained by a charged particle that is accelerated through a potential difference can be expressed in electron volts (eV) as
well as Joules. Higher amounts of energy can be measured in KeV or MeV, where:
1 eV = 1.60 x10-19 J, 1 KeV = 103 eV, and 1 MeV = 106 eV
AP Physics 2 Electric Potential Energy
Potential Difference
Capacitance

Capacitance and Dielectrics

A capacitor stores electric charge and consists of two conductors separated by an insulator known as a dielectric. The ability of a
capacitor to store electric charge is referred to as capacitance (C) and is found by the following equation:

𝑸
∆𝑽 = 𝑪

Here q is the charge stored in coulombs and V is the potential difference between the conducting surfaces in volts.

The unit of measurement of capacitance is the Farad (F), where 1 Farad = 1 coulomb/volt (1 F = 1 C/V). Typical capacitors have
values that range from 1 picofarad (1 pF) to 1 microfarad (1 μF), where:

1 pF = 1 x 10-12 F and 1 μF = 1 x10-6 F

The Parallel Plate Capacitor

The parallel plate capacitor is important because it creates a uniform electric field between it flat electrodes. A real capacitor is finite
in size. Thus, electric field lines at the edge of the plates are not straight lines, and the field is not contained entirely between the
plates. This is known as edge effect, and the non-uniform fields near the edge are called the fringing fields.

𝑸
𝑬= (from + to −)
𝜺𝟎 𝑨

The capacitance of a capacitor depends on the physical characteristics of the capacitor as well as the insulating material that separates
the conducting surfaces that store the electric charge. For a parallel-plate capacitor, the capacitance is given by:

𝑨 𝜺𝑨
𝑪 = 𝒌𝜺𝟎 or 𝑪= where ε = kε0 and ε0 = 8.85 x10-12 C2/N∙m2
𝒅 𝒅

Here k is the dielectric constant of the insulating material between the plates. The constant is dimensionless and depends on the
material. For dry air at 20 °C, k = 1.0006; for a vacuum, k = 1; for distilled water, k = 80; and for wax paper, k = 2.25. The constant ε0
is the permittivity of free space. A is the surface area of one side of one plate that is opposed by an equal area of the other plate, and d
is the distance between the plates. ε is the permittivity of the material between the plates.

Energy Stored in a Capacitor

A charged capacitor stores potential energy. The electric energy stored in charging a capacitor from an uncharged condition to a
charge of q and a potential difference V is given by:

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝑸𝟐
𝑼𝑪 = 𝟐 𝑸∆𝑽 = 𝟐
𝑪(∆𝑽)𝟐 =𝟐 𝑪
AP Physics 2 Electric Potential Energy
Potential Difference
Capacitance

Gravitational Fields Electric Fields

𝑚1 𝑚2 1 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
|𝐹𝑔 | = 𝐺 |𝐹𝐸 | =
𝑟2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2

𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔
Combine the above equations to derive
𝑚1 𝑚2
𝑚𝑔 = 𝐺
𝑟2
Simplify
𝑚 1 |𝑞|
𝑔=𝐺 2
𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
• Fg, Force of gravity is felt in a gravitational field.
• m, mass causes gravitational fields
• g is a way to assess the strength of the gravity field.
• Double mass: Fg (force) and g (field strength) double.
• Distance follows the inverse square law.
Double r: Fg (force) and g (field strength) are 1/4.
Halve r: Fg (force) and g (field strength) are quadrupled.
Mechanical Superposition
What is (a) the force of gravity and (b) the acceleration of
gravity on a 1000 kg space ship located half way between the
earth and the moon?
E M
𝐹𝐸
𝐸⃗ =
𝑞
Combine the above equations to derive
1 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝑞𝐸⃗ =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
Simplify
𝐸⃗ =
• FE, Force of electrostatics, is felt in an electric field.
• q, charge, causes electric fields.
• E is a way to assess the strength of the electric field.
• Double charge: FE (force) and E (field strength) double.
• Distance follows the inverse square law.
Double r: FE (force) and E (field strength) are 1/4.
Halve r: FE (force) and E (field strength) are quadrupled.
Electrical Superposition
What is (a) the force of electricity on a +1 C charge located half
way between a –3 C charge and a +2 C charge separated by 2
m? (b) What is the electric field strength at this location due to
the – 3 and +2 charges only?

Both are pulling on it so find each F and g separately. −3 +1

+2
𝑚 𝑚
(a) |𝐹𝑔 | = 𝐺 1 2 2
𝑟
(5.98 𝑥1024 )(1000) Both are pulling on it so find each F and E separately.
1 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝐹𝑔 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ = 6.67 𝑥10−11 2 = 10.2 𝑁 (a) |𝐹𝐸 | =
1 4𝜋𝜀0 2 𝑟
[ (3.84 𝑥10 )]
8
(3)(1)
2
𝐹𝐸 3,1 = 9.0 𝑥109 2 = 2.7 𝑥1010 𝑁
1
(7.4 𝑥10 22 )(1000) [ (2)]
𝐹𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑛 = 6.67 𝑥10−11 = 0.13 𝑁 2
1 2
9
(2)(1) 10
[ (3.84 𝑥108 )] 𝐹𝐸 2,1 = 9.0 𝑥10 2 = 1.8 𝑥10 𝑁
2 1
[ (2)]
2
As drawn: earth pulls left, negative As drawn: –3 charge attracts +1 charge to left, negative.
moon pulls right, positive. +2 charge repels +1 charge to left, negative.
Add −10.2 + 0.13 = −10.07 N left, so toward earth Add −2.7x1010 + −1.8x1010 = −4.5x1010 N left toward –3C
𝑚 1 |𝑞|
(b) 𝑔 = 𝐺 (b) 𝐸⃗ =
𝑟2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
(5.98 𝑥1024 ) 𝑚 (3) 𝑁
𝑔𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ = 6.67 𝑥10−11 2 = 0.012 𝑠 2 𝐸 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚−3 = 9.0 𝑥109 = 2.7 𝑥1010
1 1 2
𝐶
[ (3.84 𝑥108 )] [ (2)]
2 2
(7.4 𝑥1022 ) 𝑚 (2) 𝑁
𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑛 = 6.67 𝑥10−11 2 = 0.00013 𝑠 2 𝐸 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚+2 = 9.0 𝑥10 9
= 1.8 𝑥1010
1 1 2 𝐶
[ (3.84 𝑥108 )] [ (2)]
2 2
As drawn: earth pulls left, negative As drawn: –3 attracts positive test charge left, negative.
moon pulls right, positive. +2 repels positive test charge left, negative.
Add −0.012 + 0.00013 = −0.01007 m/s2 left, so toward earth Add −2.7x1010 + −1.8x1010 = −4.5x1010 N/C left toward –3C
AP Physics 2 Electric Potential Energy
Potential Difference
Capacitance

Gravitational Fields Electric Fields

∆𝑈𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔∆𝑦𝐵 B + + + + + + + + + +
+ B +

∆𝑈𝐸 = ?
∆𝑈𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔∆𝑦𝐴 − −
A A

Ground h = 0
• Gravitational Field acts downward.
• Gravity Field forces masses to move.
•Point A has less potential energy than point B.
• To lift it from A to B you must increase energy, add
energy. You must do + W
• Work energy theorem says that W =  Energy.
• Moving from A to B increases U.
• The increase (change) in U equals the work.
• U = 0 at the ground, the lowest point.
Release the mass at B. Mass accelerates toward ground.
The velocity increases so, K increases while U decreases.
The mass can do work on the way down.
Mass falls down, and needs work to go up.
causes gravity m q
measure of field strength g E
distance above ground ∆y
Gravitational Potential Energy ∆Ug = mg∆y
Gravity field is very weak and its change is irrelevant.
− − − − − − − − − − Ground d = 0
Electric Field is based on a positive test charge
• Electric Field acts away from positive & toward negative.
• Electric Field forces charges to move.
• Point A has less potential energy than point B.
• To move it from A to B you must increase energy, add
energy. You must do + W
• Work energy theorem says that W =  Energy.
• Moving from A to B increases U.
• The increase (change) in U equals the work.
• U = 0 at the ground, the lowest point.
Release the charge at B. Charge accelerates toward
negative, away from positive. The velocity increases so,
K increases while U decreases. The charge can do work
along the way.
Electricity has positives and negatives.
Negative charges are the opposite.
Work is needed to move them toward ground.
They have higher UE closer to the negative plate.
They do work on their way to the positive plate.
causes electricity
measure of field strength
r separation between plates
Electric Potential Energy ∆UE = qEr
Electric field is very strong and changes with distance.

Work Energy Theorem W = ∆E Work Energy Theorem W = ∆E

W = mg∆y W = q∆(Er)
Gravitational Potential equivalences Electric Potential equivalences
𝟏 𝒒
∆V = Er 𝑽=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓
There are none
∆UE = q∆(V)
∆𝑽
⃗ |=| |
|𝑬
∆𝒓