GENERAL PHYSICS 2: MODULE 2

The following are the lessons contained in this module:

1. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY
2. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

✓ Relate the electric potential with work, potential energy, and electric field (STEM_GP12EMIIIb-15);
✓ Determine the electric potential function at any point due to highly symmetric continuous-charge distributions
(STEM_GP12EMIIIc-17);
✓ Infer the direction and strength of electric field vector, nature of the electric field sources, and electrostatic potential surfaces
given the equipotential lines (STEM_GP12EMIIIc-18);
✓ Calculate the electric field in the region given a mathematical function describing its potential in a region of space
(STEM_GP12EMIIIc-20); and
✓ Solve problems involving electric potential energy and electric potentials in contexts such as, but not limited to, electron guns in
CRT TV picture tubes and Van de Graaff generators (STEM_GP12EMIIIc-22).

Lesson 4
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

This is about energy associated with electrical interactions. Every time you turn on a light, listen to a music player, or talk
on a mobile phone, you are using electrical energy, an indispensable ingredient of our technological society. In the General Physics
1, the concepts of work and energy in the context of mechanics were introduced; now we’ll combine these concepts with what we’ve
learned about electric charge, electric forces, and electric fields.

When a charged particle moves in an electric field, the field exerts a force that can do work on the particle. This work can
always be expressed in terms of electric potential energy. Just as gravitational potential energy depends on the height of a mass
above the earth’s surface, electric potential energy depends on the position of the charged particle in the electric field. We’ll describe
electric potential energy using a new concept called electric potential, or simply potential.
In circuits, a difference in potential from one point to another is often called voltage. The concepts of potential and voltage
are crucial to understanding how electric circuits work and have equally important applications to electron beams used in cancer
radiotherapy, high-energy particle accelerators, and many other devices.

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

Electric potential energy is the energy that is needed to move a charge against an electric field. You need more energy to
move a charge further in the electric field, but also more energy to move it through a stronger field. Electric potential energy is a
scalar quantity and possesses only magnitude and no direction. It is measured in terms of Joules (J).

Review on the Concepts of Work and Energy

If the electric force is conservative, then work (W) done by the force on a charged particle moving from point a to point b can be
expressed in terms of the electric potential energy (U), that is:

𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
W a→b = ∫𝑎 𝑭 ∙ 𝑑𝑙 = ∫𝑎 𝐹 cos 𝜙 ∙ 𝑑𝑙 = ∫𝑎 𝑞𝑜 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑙

where dl is an infinitesimal displacement along the particle’s path and 𝜙 is the angle between and at each point along the path

W a→b = Ua – Ub = -( Ub - Ua) = - ∆U
Whether the test charge is positive or negative, the general rules apply:
1. U increases if a test charge moves in the direction opposite to the electric force acting on it; and
2. U decreases if a test charge moves in the same direction as the electric force acting on it.

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 GENERAL PHYSICS 2: MODULE 2

A positive charge moving (a) in the direction of the electric field and (b) in the direction opposite.

Electric Potential Energy of Two Point Charges

The idea of electric potential energy isn’t restricted to the special case of a
uniform electric field. Indeed, we can apply this concept to a point charge in any
electric field caused by a static charge distribution.

Test charge qo moves along a straight line extending radially from charge q. As it
moves from a to b the distance varies from ra to rb. The force qo on is given by
Coulomb’s law, and its radial component is:

If q and qo have the same sign (+ or -) the force is repulsive and Fr is positive; if the
two charges have opposite signs, the force is attractive and Fr is negative. The force
is not constant during the displacement, and we must integrate to calculate the work
Wa→b done on qo by this force as qo moves from a to b:

𝒒𝒒𝒐
We see that the equations above are consistent if we define the potential energy to be 𝑼𝒂 = when qo is a distance ra from q,
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝒐𝒓𝒂
𝒒𝒒𝒐
and to be 𝑼𝒃 = when qo is a distance rb from q. Thus, the potential energy U when the test charge qo is at any distance r from
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝒐𝒓𝒃
charge q is:

Lesson 5
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

Electric Potential (simply “potential”) denoted as V is defined as the potential energy per
unit charge. The SI unit of potential, called one volt (1 V) in honor of the Italian electrical experimenter
Alessandro Volta (1745–1827).

Unit of Electric Potential: 1 Volt, V = 1 J/C

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 GENERAL PHYSICS 2: MODULE 2

The difference Va – Vb (or simply Vab) is called the potential of a with respect to b; we sometimes abbreviate this difference
as Vab = Va – Vb (note the order of the subscripts). This is often called the POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE between a and b, but that’s
ambiguous unless we specify which is the reference point.
In electric circuits, which we will analyze in later lesson, the potential difference between two points is often called
VOLTAGE. The equation above then states:

Vab, the potential of a with respect to b equals the work done by the electric force when a UNIT charge moves from
a to b.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Electric potential energy is seized by an object by the virtue of two elements, those being, the charge possessed by an
object itself and the relative position of an object with respect to other electrically charged objects. The magnitude of electric
potential depends on the amount of work done in moving the object from one point to another against the electric field.

When an object is moved against the electric field it gains some amount of energy which is defined as the electric potential
energy. The electric potential energy of any given charge or system of changes is termed as the total work done by an external
agent in bringing the charge or the system of charges from infinity to the present configuration without undergoing any acceleration.
For any charge, the electric potential is obtained by dividing the potential energy by the quantity of charge.

1. The potential of infinity is defined to be zero.

2. If a point charge is positive, the electric potential of the charge is positive. When moving a charge from infinity to this point, the
electric potential increases above a zero level.
3. If a point charge is negative, the electric potential of the charge negative. When moving a charge from infinity to this point, the
electric energy decreases below a zero level.

V increases V decreases

In both cases (positive or negative point charges), if you move in the direction of E, electric potential V decreases; if you move in
the direction opposite E, V increases.

One electron volt (1 eV) if the kinetic energy gained by an electron moving through a potential difference of one volt (1 V).
1 eV = 1.602 x 10-19 J

Equipotential
An equipotential is a line surface over which the electric potential (V) is constant at every point. Electric field lines are
perpendicular to equipotentials.

Equipotential Surface
An equipotential surface is one on which all points are at the same potential. The potential difference between any two
points on an equipotential surface is zero; there is no work done to move a charge between two points.

Characteristics of Equipotential Surfaces

1. No work is done to move a charge between two points on the same equipotential surface.
2. Electric filed lines are perpendicular to equipotential surface.
3. The surface of a conductor is an equipotential surface.

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 GENERAL PHYSICS 2: MODULE 2

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. A proton (+q = + 1.602 x 10-19 C) moves along a straight line from point a to point b with a separation distance of 0.50 m.
Considering the electric field along this line is uniform with magnitude of E = 1.50 x 107 V/m = 1.50 x 107 N/C and directed
from point a to b. Find:
a. The force on the proton
b. The work done on it by the field (in Joules & eV units)
c. The potential difference (Vab = Va – Vb)

SET UP: This problem uses the relationship between electric field and electric force. It also uses the relationship among force,
work, and potential-energy difference. We are given the electric field, so it is straightforward to find the electric force on the
proton. Calculating the work is also straightforward because is uniform, so the force on the proton is constant. Once the work is
known, we find Vab.

a. The force on the proton

The force on the proton is in the same direction as the electric field, and its magnitude is:

b. The work done on it by the field (in Joules & eV units)

The force is constant and in the same direction as the displacement, so the work done on the proton is:

c. The potential difference (Vab = Va – Vb)

The potential difference is the work per unit charge, which is:

2. A point charge (q1) is held stationary at the origin. A second charge (q2) is placed at point a, and the electric potential energy
of the pair of charges is +5.4 x 10 -8 J. When the second charge is moved to point b, the electric force on the charge does -
1.9 x 10-8 J of work. What is the electric potential energy of the pair of charges when the second charge is at point b?

SET UP: Apply Wa→b = Ua – Ub; Ua = +5.4 x 10−8 J. Solve for Ub.

PRACTICE EXERCISES:
1. A particle with a charge of +4.20 nC is in a uniform electric field E directed to the left. It is released from rest and moves
to the left; after it has moved 6.00 cm, its kinetic energy is found to be +1.50 x 10-6 J.
a. What work was done by the electric force? ANS: 1.50 x 10-6 J
b. What is the potential of the starting point with respect to the end point? ANS: 357 V
c. What is the magnitude of E? ANS: 5.95 X 103 V/m

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 GENERAL PHYSICS 2: MODULE 2

PHYSICS FOLLIES: The Ghostly Glow of St. Elmo's Fire

commonly known as SANTELMO in the Philippines

The tale of a blue-white ghostly glow appearing on a dark and

stormy night is littered throughout our history and story books.
What's remarkable is the uniformity of the account: often during a
thunderstorm, an eerie blue flame would appear and disappear on
the tips of ship masts and yet would not burn. These sightings are
much more than mere ghost stories, although certainly many such
tales have originated as a result. But what exactly are these strange
flames? They are in fact a natural phenomenon known as St. Elmo's
fire.

St. Elmo's fire works the same way that a neon light glows. A strong
electric field in the atmosphere can separate protons and electrons,
ionizing gas into a plasma. Thunderstorms generate exactly this sort
of electric field when the charged clouds overhead repel charges in
the Earth and an electric potential develops. The electric field is
strengthened around pointy objects like ship's masts, church
steeples, and even the tips of airplane wings. These are all objects
which, by their shape and conductive properties, make for good
lightning rods during storms. The reason for this pointy preference
comes from the repulsive nature of electrons. If they are free to
move, electrons like to get as far away from other electrons as they
can and thus cluster in the 'corner' of an object, creating a stronger
electric field than elsewhere. This strong electric field provides the
necessary energy to separate electrons and protons, breaking
atomic bonds and forming a local plasma around, let's say, a church
steeple. Electrons will start to flow off the steeple into the
surrounding conductive plasma, colliding with and further exciting
air molecules. Our atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen and
oxygen molecules, and when these molecules are excited, they
begin to release a characteristic violet or blue light. With such a
concentration of energy around our church steeple, air molecules
are constantly being excited into a higher energy state before
rapidly relaxing back down, releasing a blue photon along the way.
Hence the blue 'fire' that does not burn.

Source: http://physicsbuzz.physicscentral.com/2014/10/the-ghostly-glow-of-st-elmos-
fire.html

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Assessment #2
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY AND ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Read and analyze each question carefully. Write your answers and show your solutions to word problems on
a separate sheet of paper.

1. An electron moves from point i to point f, in the direction of a uniform electric field. During this displacement _____.

A. the work done by the field is positive and the potential energy of the electron-field system increases
B. the work done by the field is negative and the potential energy of the electron-field system increases
C. the work done by the field is positive and the potential energy of the electron-field system decreases
D. the work done by the field is negative and the potential energy of the electron-field system decreases

2. The potential difference between two points is 100V. If a particle with a charge of 2 C is transported from one of these points
to the other, what is the magnitude of the work done?
A. 200 J B. 100 J C. 50 J D. 2 J

3. Which of the following is the CORRECT definition of an electron volt?

A. The force acting on an electron in a field of 1N/C. B. The force required to move an electron 1 meter.
C. The energy gained by an electron in moving through a D. The energy needed to move an electron through 1
potential difference of 1 volt. meter in any electric field.

4. A point charge (q1) is held stationary at the origin. A second charge (q 2) is placed at point a, and the electric potential energy
of the pair of charges is +3.9 x 10 -7 J. When the second charge is moved to point b, the electric force on the charge does -2.2
x 10-7 J of work. What is the electric potential energy of the pair of charges when the second charge is at point b?
A. 1.7 x 10-7 J B. 6.1 x 107 J C. -1.7 x 10-7 J D. 6.1 x 10-7 J

5. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding the characteristics of equipotential surfaces?
A. No work is done to move a charge between two points on the same equipotential surface.
B. Electric field lines and equipotential surfaces are always mutually perpendicular.
C. Electric field needs to be constant over an equipotential surface.
D. The surface of a conductor is an equipotential surface.

6. An electron (-q = +1.602 x 10-19 C) moves along a straight line from point a to point b with a separation distance of 0.25 m.
Considering the electric field along this line is uniform with magnitude of E = 300 N/C and directed from point a to b. What is
the magnitude of force on the electron?
A. 4.81 x 10-17 N B. 5.79 x 10-17 N C. 6.45 x 10-17 N D. 9.21 x 10-17 N

7. Two charges are separated by a distance d. If the distance between them is doubled, how does the electric potential energy
change?
A. Potential energy is doubled B. Potential energy is halved
C. Potential energy is quadrupled D. Potential energy is quartered

8. A particle with a charge of +5.5×10 −8 C is 3.5 cm from a particle with a charge of −2.3×10−8 C. The potential energy of this
two-particle system, relative to the potential energy at infinite separation, is:
A. 3.2 × 10−4 J B. - 3.2 × 10−4 J C. 9.3 × 10−3 J D. −9.3 × 10−3 J

REFER FOR ITEMS 9-10:

A particle with a charge of +5.90 nC is in a uniform electric field E directed to the left. It is released from rest and moves to the left;
after it has moved 60.0 mm, its kinetic energy is found to be +3.50 x 10-6 J.

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 GENERAL PHYSICS 2: MODULE 2

9. What is the potential difference of the starting point with respect to the end point?
A. 327 V B. 593 V C. 675 V D. 1 020 V

10. What is the magnitude of electric field?

A. 5.45 x 10-3 V/m B. 5.45 x 103 V/m C. 9.90 x 10-3 V/m D. 9.90 x 103 V/m

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