Equipotential Surfaces

Any surface over which the electric potential is same everywhere is called
an equipotential surface.

An equipotential surface may be the surface of a charged body or simply a

surface in space. For example, the surface of a conductor is an equipotential
surface. Equipotential surfaces can be drawn through a space in which there is
an electric field. As an example, let us consider the electric field of an isolated
point-charge +q. The potential at a distance r from the charge is
v 1 i. 4neo r
A sphere of radius r with centre at + q is, therefore, an equipotential surface of
potential q/4nto r. If fact, all spheres centred on + q are equipotential surfaces,
whose potentials are inversely proportional to r (Fig. 15).
The important properties of equipotential surfaces are : (i) No work is done in
moving a charge between two points on an equipotential surface. This is so,
because the potential difference between any two points on the surface is zero.
(ii) The electric field and hence lines of force, are every where at right
angles to the equipotential surface. This is so, because there is no potential
gradient along any direction parallel to the surface, and so no electric field
parallel to the surface (E = - dV/dr = 0). This means that the electric field E , and
hence the lines of force, are always at right angles to the equipotential surface
(only then the component of E parallel to the surface would be zero).
In Fig. 15. the lines of force are radial and hence perpendicular to the
equipotential surfaces.
(iii) In a family of equipotential surfaces, the surfaces are closer together
where the electric field is stronger, and farther apart where the field is
weaker. This follows from the relation E = - dV/dr, or for the same potential-
change dV, we have
dr °c l/E ;
that is, the spacing between the equipotential surfaces will be less where £ is
strong, and vice-versa. Thus, equipotential surfaces can be used to give a
general description of electric field in a certain region of space.
(iv) No two equipotential surfaces can intersect each other. An equipotential
surface is normal to the electric field. If two equipotential surfaces intersect each
other then at the point of intersection there will be two directions of electric field,
which is impossible.
Both lines of force and equipotential surfaces can be used to depict electric field
in space. The advantage of using equipotential surfaces over the lines of force is
that they give a visual picture of both the magnitude and the direction of the
electric field.

Introduction:
Equipotential surface: Equipotential surface is the surface which can be
drawn in an electric field and every point of that surface has same electric
potential. The charged conductor should be acted as equipotential surface. If in
the case of the charged conductor is not act as an equipotential then the free
electrons in the surface of conductor should be moved from lower potential to
higher potential. This movement of free electrons can be stopped when the
potential of each point becomes same.
Direction and Work done of Equipotential Surface:
Direction of electric field relative to equipotential surface:
The electric lines of force are moving from the direction of higher potential to
lower potential. Hence the electric lines of force are perpendicular to the every
point on the equipotential surface. The direction of electric field which is relative
to the equipotential surface is perpendicular to the surface.
Work done in carrying any charge on equipotential surface:
The points on an equiotential surface has a potential difference zero. Thus
the work performed to carry the point from one point to another point on an
equipotential surface is zero.
That is W=qV=0 as V=0
Consider a above spherical surface which has radius r. This surface is
around the charge +Q. In this the potential of every point is same and it is V=

.
Hence the surface ABCD is considered as equipotential surface. The work
performed for carrying the charge +q by a surface ABCD is zero.
Shapes of Equipotential Surface:
Shapes of equipotential surfaces in different cases:
Generally the lines of electric force are perpendicular to the direction of
equipotential surface.
Uniform electric field:
In this case the lines of electric force are parallel and equal distance. Hence
the equipotential surface is the plane and perpendicular to the plane of paper.
Isolated point charge:
In this case the line of electric force are emitted in all direction. Hence the
equipotential surface is sphere.

Two equal opposite point charges:

In this case the equipotential surface lies in the direction of YZ plane. There
are two charges available and they are in opposite charges.
Two positive point charges separated by distance:
In this case the two positive charges are making the equipotential surface.

Properties of equipotential surfaces

1) No point can be at different potentials, so equipotential surface for different potentials can never touch or
intersect.

2) Potential energy does not change as a test charge moves over an equipotential surface and hence the

electric field can do no work on such a charge. Because of this reason must be perpendicular to

the surface at every point so that the force q o will always be perpendicular to the displacement of a
charge moving on the surface. Hence, field lines and equipotential surfaces are always mutually
perpendicular.

3) Equipotential surfaces are drawn so that there are equal potential differences between adjacent surfaces.

In regions where the magniture of is large, the equipotential surfaces are closer together because the
field does a relatively large amount of work on a test charge in a relatively small displacement. In regions
where the field is weaker, the equipotential surfaces are farther apart.
4) On a given equipotential surface, the potential V has the same value at every point but in general the
electric field does not. For example, at the midpoint of the line joining a dipole, potential is zero but the
electric field is not zero.

Relationship between Electric Field and Potential

The above figure shows the electric field of a positive point charge.

The electric field is directed away from the charge and potential is positive at any finite

distance from the charge. If we move away from the charge, i.e., in the direction of the electric field we
move towards the lower values of potential. If we move towards the direction opposite to that of electric field

we move towards the higher values of potential.

The above figure shows the electric field of a point negative charge.
Finite distance is negative at any point from the charge. Here if we move towards the charge we are moving

in the direction of and in the direction of decreasing U (move negative).

If we move away from the charge, in the direction opposite to , we move towards increasing value of V

(less negative). Hence, we can conclude that moving with the direction of means moving in the direction

of decreasing V and moving against the direction of means moving in the direction of increasing V.

So far, we have expressed potential difference in terms of electric field as

Now we shall express E as a function of potential as

where Er is the component of electric field along the direction of 'r'.

dv/dr is called the potential gradient and the negative sign implies that electric field acts in a direction of
decrease of potential.

The above expression also indicates that E is not necessarily zero if V is zero. It is possible to cite examples
for cases where E = 0 but V not equal to 0.

For example: The field at the centre of a uniformly charged ring is zero but the potential at the centre is not
zero.