Electrostatic potential

Electric potential at a point is the work done by the external force to

bring a unit positive charge from infinity to that point against the direction of
electric field uniformly.
work done
i.e., Electric potential =
charge
W
V=
q0
S.I unit is J/C or volt, potential is a scalar.

Note: 1Volt = 1 joule / coulomb

Potential difference: Potential difference between the two points is the work
done by an external force to bring the unit positive charge from one point to
another point against the electric field.
S.I. unit is J/C or volt.

Note: Potential goes on decreases along the direction of electric field.

Derive an expression for potential due to a point charge.

Consider an isolated point charge ‘q’ producing electric field E. Let A be a point at a distance x from q.
Let a charge of 1 C be placed at A. q0
1 q 1
F=  2
40 x
1 q
F=  2
40 x
To move the charge from A to B, work done = Force  displacement
1 q
dW =  (−dx)
40 x 2
Negative sign indicates work is done against the electric field.
1 q
dW = −  2 (dx)
40 x
The total amount of work done is bringing the charge from  to the point P at a distance r from q is
−1  q 
r

 dW = 


40  x 2
 (dx)

−1
r
1
W= (q)  2 (dx)
40 
x
 −1
r
W= (q )  x −2 (dx )
4 0 

r
−1  x −1 
W= (q)  
40  −1  
−1
r
1 
W= (q)  
40  − x 
−q 1 1 
W=  −r − − 
40  
−q 1
W=  −r 
40  
1 q
W=  
4 0  r 

from definition, work done is moving a unit positive charge from  to p, is the potential at P.
 W=V
1 q
 V=  
4 0  r 

Potential due to system of charge:

n
1 qi
V=
4 0
r
i =1 i

Compare the variation of electric potential and electric field with

distance:

1 1
or 2
r r

The graph shows the variation of potential V with r and field E with r for
1 1
a point charge q. They vary as v and E 2 .
r r
Note 1:
If, q>0, then, V >0. i.e. Potential is positive for positive charge.
If, q<0, then, V<0. i.e. Potential is negative for negative charge.
Note 2:
if r= , then V=0 i. e., Potential is zero at infinity.

To find potential due to a system of charges using super position

principle:

Consider a system of charges q1, q2, q3, ------------qn with a distances

r1P , r2P , r3p ,........rnp as shown.
The potential at ‘p’ due to q1 is
1 q
V1 =  1
4 o r1p
The potential at p due to q2 is
1 q
V2 =  2
4 o r2p
1 q3
Similarly V3 = 
4 o r3p
1 qn
And Vn = 
4 o rnp
According to super position principle net potential at ‘P’ is
V = V1 + V2 + V3 + − − − − − − Vn
1 q1 1 q 1 q 1 q
=  +  2+  3 +−−−−−  n
4 o r1p 4 o r2p 4 o r3p 4 o rnp

1  q1 q 2 q 3 q 
V=  + + +−−−−−+ n 
4 o  r1p r2p r3p rnp 
r = radius of shell

Note: Potential inside the shells is equal to potential at the surface. Where as
electric field inside the shell is zero.
Derive an expression for potential due to an electric dipole.
M
r1
+q
A
r

r2
a 
|
2a O
|
a

B -q

Consider a dipole of length 2a,

Let, O = centre of dipole,
M = any point at a distance r from O
r1= distance between +q and M
r2 = distance between –q and M
p̂ = unit vector which gives the direction of dipole moment
=angle between p̂ and OM .
1 q
potential due to +q at M is, V1 = + 
4 o r1
1 q
potential due to -q at M is, V2 = − 
4 o r2
Potential due to dipole at M is the sum of potentials due to charges +q and –q
V = V1 + V2
1 q 1 q
=  − 
4 o r1 4 o r2
q 1 1 
V=  −  − − − − − − − (1)
4 o  r1 r2 
From triangle AOM and BOM,
r12 = r 2 + a 2 − 2ar cos  and r22 = r 2 + a 2 + 2ar cos 
 a 2 2a 
r = r 1 + 2 − cos  
1
2 2

 r r 
 a2
if r  a, can be neglected
r2
 2a cos  
 r12 = r 2 1 − 
 r 
1
 2a cos   2
 r1 = r 1 − 
 r 
1 1 1
=  1
r1 r
 2a cos   2
1 − r 
1
−
1 1  2a cos   2
=  1−
r1 r  r 
1  1 2a cos  
= 1 +   ( using binomial theorem)
r 2 r
1 1 a cos 
= + − − − −(2)
r1 r r2
1 1 a cos 
similarly = − − − − − − (3)
r2 r r2
q  1 a cos   1 a cos   
V= + − − 
4 o  r r 2  
substituting (2) & (3) in eql (1)
r2 r
q  2a cos  
V=   q  1 a cos  1 a cos  
4 o  r 2  = + − + −
4 o  r r2 r r2 
1 q  2a cos 
=  q  2a cos  
4 o r2 V=  
1 P cos  4 o  r 2 
V=  ( p = q  2a)
4 o r2

This is the expression for potential due to dipole.

Note (1):
If  = 00 or 1800, Then cos00 = + 1 or cos1800 =-1
1 P
V =   2
4 o r
This is the expression for potential at a point on the dipole axis.

Note (2):
If  = 900 then cos 900= 0
 V=0 i. e., potential at any point on equatorial line is zero.
Equipotential surface
The surface with a constant value of potential at all points on the surface
is called equipotential surface.

Properties of equipotential surface:

1. Potential difference between two points on the equipotential surface is zero.
Therefore no work is required to move a test charge on the equipotential
surface.
2. Electric field is normal to the equipotential surface.
3. Two equipotential surfaces never intersect each other.

Equipotential surface for single charge is as shown.

The equipotential surfaces are concentric spherical surfaces.

For two identical +ve charges

For dipole

Equipotential surface for a uniform electric field.

 i.e., equipotential surfaces are planes.

Derive the relation between field and potential

Potential difference = V + dV − V
= dV
 Work done = potential difference.
Force  displacement = potential difference
F  (−dx) = dV
Negative sign indicates the work is done against electric field.
F
E=
q
q =1 E = F
E (−dx) = dV
−dV
E=
dx

Potential energy of a system of two charges (in the absence of external

electric field):

Let q1 = point charge at A

r= distance between A and B
Potential at B due to q1 is
1 q
V1 =  1
4 o r
Bring a point charge q2 from infinity to point B, then
workdone
Potential =
charge
W
V1 =
q2
 W = V1  q 2
1 q1
W=   q2
4 o r
But workdone is stored as potential energy of system.
i.e., W=U
 1 q1q 2
U = 
4 o r
This is the expression for potential energy of system of two charges.

Potential energy of system of three charges (in the absence of external

electric field):

Consider three point charges q1 , q 2 and q 3 kept at a points A, B and C.

Let r12 , r23 , and r13 be the distances (Position vectors)
Workdone to bring q 2 from  to B is
1 qq
W1 =  1 2
40 r12
Workdone to bring q 3 from  to C against repulsive force of q 2 is
1 qq
W2 =  2 3
4 0 r23
Workdone to bring q 3 from  to C against repulsive force q1 is
1 qq
W3 =  3 1
40 r31
Total workdone
W=W1+W2+W3
1 qq 1 qq 1 qq
W=  1 2+  2 3+  3 1
40 r12 40 r23 40 r31
1  q1q 2 q 2q3 q3q1 
W=  + + 
40  r12 r23 r31 
But, Workdone = Potential energy
W=U
1  q1q 2 q 2q3 q3q1 
U=  + + 
40  r12 r23 r31 
This is the expression for potential energy of system of three charges.
Potential energy of a single charge in an external field

Let E= External electric field at a point ‘P’.

V= External electric potential at a point ‘P’.
q= Any point charge.
The workdone in bringing a charge ‘q’ from infinity to point ‘P’ is
workdone = potential  charge
W=Vq
But workdone=potential energy
i.e., W=U
 U=Vq

Potential energy of a system of two charges in an external field

Let E= external electric field

V1 = external potential at A
V2 = external potential at B
Workdone to bring ‘q1’ charge from ∞ to A is
W1 = V1  q1
Workdone to bring ‘q2’ charge from ∞ to B against external electric field.
W2 = V2  q 2
Workdone to bring ‘q2’ charge from ∞ to B against the field due to q1.
1 qq
 W3 =  1 2
40 r12
 Potential energy of a system= W1+W2+W3
1 qq
U = v1q1 + v 2 q2 +  1 2
40 r12
Potential energy of a dipole in an external field

Workdone to bring +q against external field E is

W1 = v1 x q
Workdone to bring – q is
W2 = -v1 x q
And, workdone to bring –q against field due to +q,
−1 q 2
W3 = 
40 2a
Potential energy of a dipole = w1+w2+w3
1 q2
U = v1q − v 2 q − 
40 2a
1 q2
U = q( v1 − v 2 ) − 
40 2a
But, v1-v2= − E 2a cos
1 q2
U = q(− E 2a cos  ) −  (But q 2a = p)
40 2a
1 q2
U = − PE cos  − 
40 2a
Since second term in the above equation is insignificant constant for potential
energy, we can drop that term,
 U = −PEcos 
This is the expression for potential energy of a dipole kept in an external field.

Important results regarding electrostatic of conductor [metallic solid

conductor]:
1) Electrostatic field is zero inside the conductor.
2) At the surface of charged conductor, electric field must be normal to the
surface at every point.
3) In a charged conductor, excess charges reside only on the surface in
static situation. i.e, no excess charge is present inside the conductor.
 4) Electrostatic potential is constant throughout the volume of the
conductor (i.e, inside the conductor) and is equal to the value at its
surface.

5) Electric field at the surface of a charged conductor is, E = nˆ
o
Where σ = surface charge density, n̂ = unit vector normal to the surface.

What is electrostatic shielding? Mention one use of it.

The electric field in side the cavity of a conductor is always is zero and it
remains shielded from outside electric influence. This effect is known as
electrostatic shielding.

This effect can be made use of in protecting sensitive instruments from outside
electrical influence.

Non-polar molecules: The molecules in which centres of positive charges and

of negative charges coincide are called non-polar molecules. Ex: O2, H2, CO2.
In non-polar molecule, the dipole moment is zero in the absence of
external electric field.

Polar molecules: The molecules in which the centres of positive charges and of
negative charges do not coincide are called polar molecule: Ex: H2O, HCl.
In polar molecule the permanent dipole moment is present even in the
absence of external electric field.

Dielectrics:
Dielectrics are non-conducting substances and they do not have mobile charge
carriers.
There are two types of dielectrics.
1) Non polar dielectrics and 2) polar dielectrics

Non-polar dielectrics: The dielectric which contains non-polar molecules are

called non-polar dielectrics.

Polar dielectrics: The dielectrics which contain polar molecules are called
polar dielectrics.
Behaviour of non-polar dielectric in the absence of external electric field:
Non-polar dielectric contains a non-polar molecules. In non-polar molecules
the centres of positive and negative charges are coincided, therefore dipoles are
not present. As a result, dipole moment is zero in the absence of external
electric field (fig. 1).

Fig. 1
Fig.2
Behaviour of non-polar dielectric in the presence of external electric field:
When an external electric filed is applied to non-polar dielectric then
dipoles are developed. As a result net dipole moment is produced in the
presence of external electric field (fig.2).

Behaviour of polar dielectrics in the absence of external electric field:

Polar dielectrics contain a polar molecule. The polar molecules have
dipoles but the dipoles are arranged randomly in the absence of an electric
field. As a result the net dipole moment is zero (fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Fig.2

Behaviour of polar dielectric in the presence of external electric field:

When an external field is applied to polar dielectrics then dipoles are
aligned in the direction of electric field. Therefore the net dipole moment is
produced (fig.2).

Note: Linear isotropic dielectrics: They are the substances for which the
induced dipole moment is in the direction of the field and is proportional to the
field strength.
Polarisation of Dielectric:
The dipole moment per unit volume is called polarization of dielectrics.
 Dipole moment
Polarisation=
Volume
S.I unit is coulomb/meter2

Dielectric strength: The dielectric can withstand the electric field up to some
maximum value. If this value exceeds, then insulating property will break down
and dielectric conducts the charge.
The Maximum electric field that a dielectric medium can withstand without
breakdown of insulating property is called dielectric strength.
S.I Unit of dielectric strength is V/m

Note: For air, dielectric Strength = 3106V/m