756 Chapter 25. Electric Potential Finding the electri field > from the potential Figure 25.12 The elec potential at point Pde toa ne charge elstribution ed by dividing the charge distribution into elements ‘of charge dyand summing the sitations Electric potential due to ‘a continuous charge distribution If the charge distribution creating an electric field has spherical symmetry such that the volume charge density depends only on the radial distance 1; the electric field is radial. In this case, E - d = E, dr, and we can express dVas dV = —E, dr. Therefore, n=-2 (5.7) For example, the electric potential of a point charge is V = hg/r Because Vis a function of ronly, the potential function has spherical symmetry. Applying Equax tion 25.17, we find that the magnitude of the electric field due to the point charge is E, ~ b,g/74, a familiar result. Notice that the potential changes only in the radial direction, not in any direction perpendicular to x. Therefore, V (lke E,) is a func- tion only of», which is again consistent with the idea that equipotential surfaces are perpendicular to field lines. In this case, the equipotential surfaces are a family of spheres concentric with the spherically symmetric charge distribution (Fig. 25.11b). The equipotential surfaces for an electric dipole are sketched in Figure 25.1c. In general, the electric potential isa function of al three spatial coordinates. It V(r) is given in terms of the Cartesian coordinates, the electric field components E,,and E, can readily be found from V(x, , 2) as the partial derivatives? ae ay a Quick Quiz 25.4 Ina certain region of space, the electric potenti , | where along the xaxis, @) From this information, you can conclude that the x | component of the electric field in this region is (a) zero, (b) in the positive « | direction, or (c) in the negative x direction. (i) Suppose the electric potential | is $2V everywhere along the axis, From the same choices, what can you con- 4 clude about the x component ofthe electric field now? Electric Potential Due to Continuous Charge Distributions In Section 25.8, we found how to determine the electric potential due to a small number of charges. What if we wish Co find the potential due to a continuous dis- tribution of charge? The electric potential in this situation can be calculated using ‘wo different methods. The first method is as follows. I the charge distribution is known, we consider the potential due to a small charge element dg, treating this element as a point charge (Fig. 25.12). From Equation 25.11, the electric potential Vat some point Pdue to the charge element dqis ag av (25.19) where ris the distance from the charge element (o point P. To obtain the total potential at point P, we integrate Equation 25.19 to include cont elements of the charge distribution, Because each element is, in general, a different distance from point Pand k, is constant, we can express Vas dy butions from all v af (25.20) where Bisa the padi aero25.5. Electric Potential Due to Continuous Charge Distributions 757 In effect, we have replaced the sum in Equation 25.12 with an integral. In this expression for V; the electric potential is taken to be zero when point Pis infinitely far from the charge distribution, ‘The second method for calculating the electric potential is used if the electric field is already known from other considerations such as Gauss’ law. If the charge distribution has sufficient symmetry, we first evaluate E using Gauss’s law and then substitute the value obtained into Equation 25.3 to determine the potential differ~ ‘ence AV between any two points. We then choose the electric potential Vto be zero at some convenient point, Problem RESID Calculating Electric Potent ‘The following procedure is recommended for solving problems that involve the determination of an electric potential due to a charge distribution, 1. Conceptualize. Think carefully about the individual charges or the charge distei- bution you have in the problem and imagine what type of potential would be created, Appeal to any symmetry in the arrangement of charges to help you visualize the potential 2. Categorize. Are you analyzing a group of individual charges or a continuous charge distribution? The answer to this question will tell you how to proceed in the Anajze step. 3, Analyze. When working problems involving electric potential, remember that itis a sealar quantity, so there are no components to consider. Therefore, when using the superposition principle to evaluace the electric potential ata point, simply take the algebraic sum of the potentials due to each charge. You must keep track of signs, however. As with potential energy in mechanics, only changes in electric potential are sig- nificant; hence, the point where the potential is set at zero is arbitrary. When dealing with point charges or a finite-sized charge distribution, we usually define V= 0 to be ata point infinitely far from the charges. If the charge distribution itself extends to infinity, however, some other nearby point must be selected as the reference point. (2) Ifyou are analyzing a group of individual charges: Use the superposition principle, which states that when several point charges are present, the resultant potential ata point Pin space is the algebraic sum of the individual potentials at Pdue to the individual charges (Eq, 25.12). Example 25.4 below demonstrates this procedure, (©) Ifyou are analing a continuous charge dstribuion: Replace the sum for evaluate ing the total potential at some point P from individual charges by integrals (Eq 25.20). The total potential at Pis obtained by integrating over the entire charge distribution. For many problems, iLis possible in performing the integration to express dy and rin terms of a single variable. To simplify the integration, give careful consideration to the geometzy involved in the problem. Examples 25.5 Usrough 25:7 demonstrate such a procedure ‘Te obtain the potential from the electric field: Another method used to obtain the potential is to start with the definition of the potential difference given by Equation 25,3. IF is known or can be obtained easly (such as from Gauss’ law), the line inte- gral of E +d can be evaluated. 4, Finalize, Check to see if your expression for the potential is consistent with your al representation and reflects any symmetry you noted previously. Imagine varying parameters such as the distance of the observation point from the charges or the radius of any circular objects to see if the mathematical resull changes in a reasonable way.758 Chapter 25. Electric Potential BE The Electric Potential Due to a Dipole An clectric dipole consists of two charges of equal magnitude and opposite sign 7 separated by a distance 2a as shown in Figure 25.13, The dipole is along the x axis and is centered at the origin. (A) Calculate the electric potential at point Pon the yaxis. SN Conceptualize Compare this situation to that in part (B) of Example 23.6. It is the same situation, but here we are seeking the electric potential rather than the electric field. Figure 25.13 (Example 25.4) Anelectre dipole located on the Categorize We categorize the problem as one in which we have a small number of | *** particles rather than a continuous distribution of charge. The electric potential can be evaluated by summing the potentials due to the individual charges. Analyze Use Equation 25.12 to find the electric potential Vp at Paue to the two charges: (B) Calculate the electric potential at point Ron the positive «axis, EN Use Equation 25.12 tof to the two charges! the eleetrie potential at R due (© Calculate Vand Bata point on the xaxis far from the dipole. SEN For point Rfar from the dipole such that «>> a, neglect Vg ‘in the denominator of the answer to part (B) and write Vin this limit: ‘Use Equation 25.16 and this result to calculate the component of the electric field ata point on the xaxis {ar from the dipo! = theet(4)~ BE Gas Finalize ‘The potentials in parts (B) and (C) are negative because points on the positive xaxis are closer to the nega- tive charge than to the positive charge. For the same reason, the component of the electric field is negative. Notice that we have a 1/7 falloff of the electric field with distance far from the dipole, similar to the behavior ofthe electric field on the yaxis in Example 236. sppose you want to find the electric Feld ata point Pon the yaxis. In part (A), the electric potential was found to be zero forall values of y. Is the electric field zero at all points on the yaxis? Answer No, That there is no change in the potential along the y axis tells us only that the y component of the electric field is zero, Look back at Figure 28.13 in Example 23.6, We showed there that the electtic field of a dipole on the y axis has only an x component. We could not find the x component in the current example because we do not have an expression for the potential near the yaxis as a function of x25.5. Electric Potential Due to Continuous Charge Distributions 759 Electric Potential Due to a Uniformly Charged Ring (A) Find an expression for the electric potential ata point Plocated on the per- pendicular central axis ofa uniformly charged ring of radius aand total charge Q SEN Conceptualize Study Figure 25.14, in which the ring is oriented so that its plane is perpendicular to the x axis and its center is at the origin. Notice that the symmetry of the situation means that all the charges on the ring are the same distance from point P. Compare this example to Example 28.8. Notice that no ‘vector considerations are necessary here because electric potential isa scalar. jure 25.14 (Example 25.5) Auni- ly charged ring of radius lies in a plane perpendicular tothe xaxis, All elements dgof the ring are the same distance from: a point Plying on the wants Categorize Because the ring consists of a continuous distribution of charge 1 a set of discrete charges, we must use the integration technique rep- this example. rather thi n 25.20 resented by Equat Analyze We take point P to be at a distance x from the center of the ring as shown in Figure 25.14, Use Equation 25.20 to express Vin terms of the eeomeey Noting that and donot vary fora integration over 21 the ring, bring Va! + x1 in front ofthe integral sign Gs2n shel ntgrate oer the (©) Find an expreson for the magitude ofthe electri ed at point om symmetry notice that along the xan can have 8 gg dit ewes only an x component. Therefore, apply Equation 25.16 to de ae equation 82 = hOB + 708) he E, + (25.22) > Te tpt Finalize The only variable in the expressions for Vand F, i x. That is not surprising because our calculation is valid only for points along the xaxis, where yand zare both zero, This result forthe electric ficld agrees with that obtained by direct integration (see Example 23.8). For practice, use the result of part (B) in Equation 25.3 to verily that the potential is given by the expression in part (A). Electric Potential Due to a Uniformly Charged Disk A uuniformly charged disk has radius Rand surface charge density o: (A) Find the electric potential ata point Palong the perpendicular central axis of the disk SOLUT! 0 Conceptualize If we consider the disk to be a set of concentric rings, we can use our result from Example 25.5— which gives the potential due (o a ring of radius a—and sum the contributions ofall rings making up the disk, Figure continued760 Chapter 25. Electric Potential » 25.6 con 25.15 shows one such ring. Because point Pis on. the central axis of the disk, symmetry again cells, us that all points in a given ring are the same dis- tance from P. Figure 25.15 (Example 25.6) A Uniformly changed ask of radius Riiesin a plane perpendicular to the xaxis. The ealelaton ofthe electric potential atany point Pon the xaxiis simplified by divin distribution rather than a group of individual —hediskinto many ring of radiaer charges. snd width dr with area 2 de Categorize Because the disk is cor evaluate the potential due to a continuous charge Analyze Find the amount of charge dgon a ring of radius 4A = o(Qerrdi) = mor dr ‘rand width dras shown in Figure 25.15: dg kaon dr Use this reultin Equation 25.21 m Example 25.5 (vith a dVv= Hl. Arorde replaced bythe vatable rand Qreplaced bythe differen: Views Vie tial dg) to find the potential due to the ring: "gray * ‘To obtain the total potential at P, integrate thisexpression —- V= who | 28 = who | (8 + x") 2rdr ‘This integral is of the common form f u* du, where V= Qekof(R? + x4)! — 5] (25.23) n= band w= r? + x2,and has the value w'"!/(n + Use this result to evaluate the integral: (B) Find the xcomponent of the electric field at a point Palong the perpendicular central axis of the disk. Asin Example 25.5, use Equation 25.16 to find the elec tric field at any axial point: a rehe[l- Gan] (25.24) Finalize Compare Equation 25:2 with the result of Example 8.9. Theyare the same, The calculation of Vand E for an arbitrary pont off the xaxis is more diffiealt to perform because of the absence of symmetry and we do not treat that situation n this bok 5 Electric Potential Due to a Finite Line of Charge A rod of length € located along the x axis has a total charge Qand a ‘uniform linear charge density A, Find the electric potential at a point P located on the yaxisa distance a from the origin (Fig. 25.16). TT Conceptualize ‘The potential at P due to every segment of charge on the rod is positive because every segment carries a positive charge. Notice that we have no symmetry to appeal to here, but the simple geometry should make the problem solvable, Categorize Because the rod is continuous, we evaluate the potential due to a continuous charge disuibution rather than group of individual charges, Figure 25.16 (Example 25.7) A uniform tne Anak charge of length € located along the xaxie. To ‘Analyze In Figure 2516, te rod lies along the xaxis, dis the length of| Siti hee poet poets stnall segment, and dgis the charge on that segment. Because the rod hasa —Guange vided ito egmenta ach ob charge per unit length A, the charge dgon the small segmentis dy = Ads. dean each carrying a charge dg ds.25.6 Electric Potential Due to a Charged Conductor 761 » 25.7 con Find the potential at Pdue to one segment of the rod. aatan arbitrary position x Find the total poten sion over the limits « ial at Pby integrating this expres- wx 6 Noting that k,and A= Q/€ are constants and can be removed from the integral, evaluate the integral with, the help of Appendix B: Evaluate the result between thelimits: V= k(n (¢+ Va? #E) — nal = Finalize If € << a, the potential at P should approach that of a point charge because the rod is very short compared to the distance from the rod to P. By using a series expansion for the natural logarithm from Appendix B.5, itis easy to show that Equation 25.25 becomes V=,Q/a. What if you were asked to find the electric 25.16 lies entirely to the right of x= 0, the electric field at field at point P? Would that be a simple calculation? point Pwould have an xcomponent to the left if the rod is charged positively, You cannot use Equation 25.18 to find the xcomponent of the field, however, because the poten tial due to the rod was evaluated at a specific value of x (¢= 0) rather than a general value of x, You would have to find the potential as a function of both x and y to be able to find the x and y components of the electric field using Equation 25.18, Answer Galculating the electric field by means of Equa- ton 23.11 would be a litle messy. There is no symmetry to appeal to, and the integration over the line of charge would representa vector addition of electric fields at point Using Equation 25.18, you could find E, by replacing @ with yin Equation 25.25 and performing the differen ton with respect to y. Because the charged rod in Figure Electric Potential Due to a Charged Conductor In Section 24.4, we found that when a solid conductor in equilbsium carries a net charge, the charge tesdes onthe conductor’ outer surface Furthermore, the elec tric Held just outside the conductor is pespendicularto the surface and the field tre fel just The dette fovea ae the ‘We now generate another property of charged conductor, related to elecuic | faniucouienetnecaar aco potential. Consider two points @ and ® on the surface of a charged conductor a8 eleciic field is vero. Equation shown in Figure 25.17, Along a surface path connecting these points, E is always 2515 shows thata zero value of the feld results in no change Pitfall Prevention 25.6 Potential May Not Be Zero the potential from one point [Notice fom the spacing of the to another inside the conduc- positive signs that the race tor. Therefore, the potenti ‘charge density ie nonsniform. ‘everywhere inside the conductor, including the surface, has the sate vale, which may or may not be zero, depending on where the zero of potential is defined, Me lel Figure 25.17. An arbitrarily shaped conductor carrying a positive charge. When the conductor isin electrostatic qa Jibeium, all the charge resides at the surface, = O inside the conductor, and the direction of E immediately ouside the conductor i perpendicular to the nirface. The electri potential is constant inside the conductor and is equal to the potential tthe surface —t — a rT