PHYSICS FOR YOU Electrostatic Potential – PART-1 1
Chapter-2
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Questions and answers
1. Is Coulomb force between two charges a conservative or non conservative?
Conservative force
2. Does the work done by electrostatic field in moving a charge from one point to
another point depends on the path?
No it does not
3. Define electrostatic potential. Give the expression for the same.
Work done in bringing a unit positive test charge from infinity to a given point against the
electric field direction is known as electric potential at that point
𝑊
𝑉=
𝑞0
4. Why the infinity is taken as reference while defining electric potential?
Because electric field and potential are zero
5. What is the SI unit of electric potential? Is it scalar or vector?
The SI unit of potential is volt (V). It is scalar
6. Derive the expression for electric potential at a point due to point charge
Consider a point charge q placed at O in vacuum. Let q0 be the test charge displaced through
a small distance dx from X to Y against the electrostatic force F The work done is
𝑑𝑊 = −𝐹𝑑𝑥 − − − −(1)
Negative sign indicates that the displacement is against the direction of force.
According to Coulomb’s law, force F at X is
1 𝑞𝑞0
𝐹= ( ) − − − (2)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑥
Substitute Eq(1) in (2) we get
1 𝑞𝑞0
𝑑𝑊 = − ( ) 𝑑𝑥
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑥 2
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PHYSICS FOR YOU Electrostatic Potential – PART-1 2
The total work done in displacing q0 from infinity to point P which is r meter away from q
is
𝑟
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑑𝑊
∞
𝑟
1 𝑞𝑞0
𝑊 = ∫− ( ) 𝑑𝑥
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑥 2
∞
𝑟
𝑞𝑞0 1
𝑊=− ∫ ( 2 ) 𝑑𝑥
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑥
∞
𝑞𝑞0 1𝑟
𝑊=− [− ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑥 ∞
𝑞𝑞0 1 1
𝑊= [ − ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 ∞
𝑞𝑞0 1
𝑊= [ ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
𝑊 𝑞 1
= [ ]
𝑞0 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
𝑊
But 𝑉 =
𝑞0
𝑞 1
∴𝑉= [ ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
7. Apply the principle of superposition and calculate the net potential in the case of
system of charges
Consider a system of multiple charges q1, q2, q3,q4, and q5. Each of these charges produce
their individual potential a point P. Let V1, V2, V3, V4 and V5 be the individual potentials
produced by them at P then the net potential is given by
𝑉 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3 + − − −= ∑𝑛1 𝑉𝑖
1 𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞3 𝑞4 𝑞5
𝑉= [ + + + + ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1𝑝 𝑟2𝑝 𝑟3𝑝 𝑟4𝑝 𝑟5𝑝
In general,
𝑛
1 𝑞𝑖
𝑉= ∑
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟𝑖𝑝
𝑖=1
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PHYSICS FOR YOU Electrostatic Potential – PART-1 3
8. What is the sign convention for potential?
Potential at a point due to positive charge is taken as positive and due to negative charge it
is negative.
9. What is potential difference?
Potential difference between two points is defined as the work done by an external force in
moving a test charge q between the two points against the field direction.
If cahrge q0 is moved between C and D then
𝑑𝑊
𝑑𝑉 = (𝑉𝐶 − 𝑉𝐷 ) =
𝑞0
10. Write the expression for work done in moving a test charge between two points in
the electric field
𝑑𝑊 = 𝑞0 (𝑉𝐶 − 𝑉𝐷 )
11. What is the field and potential inside the charged conductor?
Field is zero and potential is constant inside the charged conductor.
12. Give the graphical representation of variation of electric field and potential w.r.t.
distance
13. What is the work done in moving a test charge inside the charged body? Justify
your answer
Zero, because potential is constant and potential difference is zero inside the conductor
14. Write the expression for electric potential at a point inside the charged sphere of
radius R and on its surface
𝑞 1
inside the sphere 𝑉 = [ ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
𝑞 1
on the sphere 𝑉 = [ ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
15. What do you meant that the p.d between two points is 4V?
4 J of work is done in moving a unit positive charge between two points against the
direction of field
16. Derive the expression for potential at a point due to an electric dipole.
Consider a dipole of dipole moment P consisting of two charges +q and – q separated by
distance 2a. Let X be a point at a distance r from the center of the dipole. Since AB is very
small compare to AX and OX we can say XAB = XOB = . Potential at point X due to
dipole is calculated as follows.
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In fig
OX = r
BX = r1
AX = r2 ( r1 >> a & r2 >> a)
Draw BC perpendicular to AX so that CX = BX = r1
In Fig,
𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐶
cos 𝜃 = =
𝐴𝐵 2𝑎
𝐴𝐶 = 2𝑎 cos 𝜃 − − − (1)
But, AX = AC + CX
𝑟2 = 2𝑎 cos 𝜃 + 𝑟1
𝑟2 − 𝑟1 = 2𝑎 cos 𝜃 − − − (2)
Potential at X due to +q is
𝑞 1
𝑉𝐵 = ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝐵𝑋
𝑞 1
𝑉𝐵 = ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1
Potential at X due to - q is
𝑞 1
𝑉𝐴 = ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝐴𝑋
−𝑞 1
𝑉𝐴 = ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2
Total potential at X is
𝑉 = 𝑉𝐵 + 𝑉𝐴
𝑞 1 𝑞 1
𝑉= ( )− ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2
𝑞 𝑟2 − 𝑟1
𝑉= ( ) − − − (3)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 𝑟2
Substitute Eq (2) in (3) we get
𝑞 2𝑎 cos 𝜃
𝑉= ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 𝑟2
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But r1 r2 = r
𝑞 2𝑎 cos 𝜃
𝑉= ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2
Put 2aq = P
1 𝑃 cos 𝜃
𝑉= ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2
17. What is the potential at a point on the bisector of the dipole
If the point X is on the bisector line, = 90, Hence
V = 0.
18. Give the expression for the potential at a point on the axis of dipole if the point is
towards positive charge and towards negative charge
If the point X is on the axis towards the positive charge then = 0. Hence
1 𝑃
𝑉= ( 2)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
If the point X is on the axis towards the negative charge then = 180. Hence
1 −𝑃
𝑉= ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
19. What is an equipotential surface? Sketch the equipotential surface in the case of
(a) Isolated point charge (b) line charge (c) two like charges (d) two unlike charges
An equipotential surface is an imaginary surface passing through all the points which are
at same potential.
20. Does the electric field possess any non-zero component along the equipotential
surface (EPS)?
No it cannot. If it does exist then the work done in moving a test charge along the surface
is not equal to zero which contradicts the definition of the EPS
21. Mention any three properties of EPS
When a test charge is moved between any two points on the same EPS, the work done
is zero
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PHYSICS FOR YOU Electrostatic Potential – PART-1 6
Electric field and lines of force are always perpendicular to the equipotential surface at
each and every point.
Field cannot have any non-zero component along the equipotential surface. If there is
any non zero component
22. Explain why EPS is normal to direction of electric filed or direction of electric lines
of force?
EPS is normal to direction of electric filed because there is no non zero component of
electric field along the EPS
23. Derive the relation between electric field intensity and electric potential OR show
that electric field is equal to negative potential gradient
Consider two equipotential surfaces A and B in a uniform electric field E separated by a
small distance dl. Let dV be the potential difference between them. The work done in
moving a test charge q from A to B is
𝑑𝑊 = 𝑞 𝑑𝑉 − − − −(1)
By definition work done is
𝑑𝑊 = − 𝐹 𝑑𝑙
Put 𝐹 = 𝑞𝐸
𝑑𝑊 = − 𝑞𝐸 𝑑𝑙 − − − −(2)
Equate (2) and (1)
− 𝑞𝐸 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑞 𝑑𝑉
𝑑𝑉
𝐸=−
𝑑𝑙
According to this relation we can state that electric field intensity is equal to negative
potential gradient. -ve sign indicates that E acts in the decreasing direction of potential.
24. What is electrostatic potential energy of system of two point charges? Derive the
expression for potential energy of group of two point charges
When two similar charges are moved from infinity towards each other they experience
repulsion. Hence work has to be done to overcome the repulsion. The work is stored in the
system in the form of potential energy. This is called electrostatic potential energy. It is
calculated as follows
Let V be the potential at P due to charge q1. It is
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PHYSICS FOR YOU Electrostatic Potential – PART-1 7
𝑞1
𝑉=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
Work done in bringing another charge q2 from infinity to P against the field direction is
𝑊 = 𝑉𝑞2
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑊=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
This work is converted into potential energy. Hence
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑈=
4𝜋𝑟𝜀0
25. Derive the expression for electrostatic potential energy for a system of 3 point
charges
Consider an arrangement of 3 point charges as follows
Fig.8. PE due to system of charges
Let q1 be a point charge placed at A. Its potential at B is
𝑞1
𝑉1 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12
If a charge q2 is brought to point B from infinity, it will experience this potential and work
has to be done. The work done is
𝑊1 = 𝑉1 𝑞2
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑊1 = − − − (1)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12
These two charges will produce a total potential at C. It is given by
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑉12 = +
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟13 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟23
If a charge q3 is brought to point C from infinity, it will experience this potential. Hence
work has to be done. It is given by
𝑊2 = 𝑉12 𝑞3
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑊2 = ( + )𝑞
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟13 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟23 3
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𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
𝑊2 = ( + ) − − − (2)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟13 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟23
Hence the total work done to arrange charges as shown in fig is
𝑊 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
𝑊= + +
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟13 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟23
This work converts into energy. Hence
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
𝑈= + +
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟13 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟23
1 𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
𝑈= ( + + )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12 𝑟13 𝑟23
This is for system of 3 charges
26. Two like charges are moved towards each other. What happens to potential energy
of the system? Does the system is stable or unstable?
When two like charges are moved towards each other the potential energy of the system
increases and the system becomes unstable (repulsive)
27. Two unlike charges are moved towards each other. What happens to potential
energy of the system? Does the system is stable or unstable?
When a positive charge is moved towards negative charge or vice versa, the potential
energy of the system reduces and the system becomes stable (attractive system)
28. Potential energy of a system of charges is negative. What does it mean?
It is stable and attractive system
29. Does a charge possess potential energy due its own electric field?
No
30. What is the potential energy of a point charge placed in external electric field?
If V is the applied potential then Potential energy of q at a point is
𝑈 = 𝑞𝑉
31. Give the expression for potential energy of a system of two point charges placed in
external electric field
If two charges q1 and q2 sepearated by a distance r then potential energy of system of two
charges
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑈 = 𝑞1 𝑉 + 𝑞2 𝑉 +
4𝜋𝑟𝜀0
32. Derive the expression of a dipole placed in external uniform electric field
When a dipole is placed in external uniform electric field E it experiences torque given by
𝜏 = 𝑃 × 𝐸 = 𝑃𝐸 sin 𝜃
Hence work is done and it is stored in the dipole as potential energy.
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Let the dipole is rotated from 0 to 1 through small angles d then the total work done is
𝜃1
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑃𝐸 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝜃0
𝜃
𝑊 = 𝑃𝐸[− cos 𝜃]𝜃10
𝑊 = 𝑃𝐸(cos 𝜃0 − cos 𝜃1 )
𝑈 = 𝑃𝐸(cos 𝜃0 − cos 𝜃1 )
This is the expression for energy stored in the dipole
The initial position can be chosen to be at any angle. Normally we take it as 900 ie, 0 =
/2 and 1 = . Hence
𝑈 = 𝑃𝐸(− cos 𝜃)
𝑈 = −𝑃. 𝐸
33. When does the potential energy maximum and minimum?
If final angle = 0, U is minimum (-PE) and when =180 U is maximum (+PE)
34. Why the surface of the conductor is considered as EPS?
Because potential at all the points on the surface is same
35. What is electric shielding and how it is useful?
If there is a cavity inside the conductor the electric field inside the conductor is zero
irrespective of size and shape of the cavity. This is known as electric shielding. Electric
shielding is used in protecting sensitive instruments from outside electrical influence.
36. Why there are no excess charges on the surface of a conductor?
If an excess charge is placed on the surface it will distribute uniformly. Hence no excess
charge is found
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