PY 10.

1 Handout 3—Representing Combined Fields: Using Potentials

Handout 2: Representing Combined Fields: Using Field Lines focused on how we represent the
electric or gravitational forces around charges and masses by introducing the idea of the
electrostatic field, E and the gravitational field, g.

As is often the case in Physics, it is sometimes more straight forward to focus on the changes in
energy associated with these forces. As a test object moves in a gravitational or electrostatic
situation, it is likely that work will be done, and the test object will gain or lose potential energy.

A new concept is introduced which is called the potential at a point in the field. Note that potential
is a different quantity from potential energy. The general form for the definition of the potential at
any point in a field is:

energy need to bring test object from infinity to the point

potential, V =
test object feeling the force
1. The above definition fixes the zero of potential energy and thus the zero of potential at an
infinite distance away from the cause of the field. In electrostatic situations, potentials can
be positive or negative. In gravitational situations, potentials are always negative as the field
is always attractive.
2. The principle of conservation of energy means that the energy needed to bring the test
object from infinity must be independent of the route taken. There is one value of potential
for each point. The technical term describing this property is to say that the gravitational and
electrostatic fields are conservative fields.

Most of the time, however, it is changes in potential energy (and thus in potential) that are more
relevant. The difference in potential between two points, or the potential difference, has the
following general form:

work done on the object in moving between two points

potential difference, ∆V =
test object feeling the force
Knowledge Check

Do some research to complete the following table using the answers in the Gravitational Field
column as a guide:

Gravitational Electric
Symbol for potential Vg
Definition of potential energy
V g=
m
m is mass of small point test mass
Unit of potential J kg-1

Sign of potential Always negative

Symbol for potential DVg

difference
Equation for potential W =m ∆V g
difference
Units of potential J kg-1
difference
Representing combined fields: Using potentials page 1
Potential and potential difference is a scalar quantity. The variation of potential is most often
represented in two dimensions by drawing lines of equipotential and in three dimensions by
equipotential surfaces. In either case, the potential is the same at all points on the equipotential.

Contour lines on a map are an example of gravitational equipotential lines as they join places that
are at the same vertical height.

When a test object is moved along an equipotent, the potential energy remains the same, and so no
work is done. There is a force on the test object, but it is always at right angles to the motion along
the equipotential. This means that equipotential surfaces and field lines must be at right angles to
one another. For example, the equipotentials around a positive point charge would be as shown
below:

Field lines

Equipotentials

Visualizing Equipotential Lines

To work out the combined potential from two, or more, objects all we must do is to add the
individual potentials to get the combined field.

Remember potentials are scalar quantities (they only have magnitude and no direction) so you just
add the values to calculate the field at any given point in space.

Representing combined fields: Using potentials page 2

Checking Understanding

In the diagram below, there are two objects, A and B, whose fields combine. Your task is to work out
the sign of the potential (positive or negative) at different positions, O, S, T, M, and N marked in the
diagram.

O, S, and T are midway between A and B.

M is halfway between A and O.

N is halfway between B and O.

In groups, Think-Pair-Share.

M O N

Object A Object B

T
Middle

Different situations are suggested in the table. Work in pairs to decide the correct answers. A
positive potential means that it would take work to get the test object to that point. A negative
potential means that the field would do work pulling the test object to that point.

Object A Object B O S T M N

Charge +Q Charge -Q

Charge +2Q Charge +Q

Mass M Mass M

Mass 2M Mass M

Representing combined fields: Using potentials page 3

Investigating Different Situations

Go online and explore the PhET interactive simulation:

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields

Choose a distribution of charges and use the tool to add in lines of equipotential.

Once you have understood how the simulation works, choose a distribution of charges, and try to
map out equipotential lines that have a fixed potential difference between then (e.g., -30V, -20V, -
10V, 0V, 10V, 20 V, and 30 V).

Make a sketch of the situation on paper that includes:

 The charges and their separation

 The lines of equipotential

Use the lines of equipotential to add in field lines to your sketch.

In a previous lesson, different groups created combined field patterns for several situations.

Groups should now try to add in lines of equipotential to their original solution. Take time to make
your answers precise.

When the group has agreed to their solution, do some online research or use your textbook to
compare your answer with those with which you have agreed. Explain your results to the rest of the
group.

Field Patterns to Investigate

1. The electric field pattern around two equal positive point charges, +Q, separated by a
distance, d.
2. The electric field pattern around two equal but opposite point charges, +Q and -Q, separated
by a distance, d.
3. The fields between and near two oppositely charged parallel metal plates. (Hint: the charges
on each plate will spread out evenly as they repel one another).
4. The gravitational field pattern around a binary star system in which each star has the same
mass, M.
5. The gravitational field pattern around the Earth-Moon system.
(Mass of Earth = 6 × 1024 kg; Mass of Moon = 7 × 1022 kg).

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