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MODULE # 2
For
Final
PEelectric = -qEd
Electric Potential Energy = -(charge x
electric field strength x displacement from
a reference point in the direction of the
field)
Electric Potential Energy for a pair
of charges
PEelectric = kc q1q2
r
These energies can be added together
using algebraic summation – these are
scalar quantities!
Chapter 18 – Electric Potential
and Capacitance
Section 2
Potential Difference
Potential Difference
• Electric Potential Difference is a change in
electric potential – a change in the ability to do
work:
∆V = PEelectric
q
SI unit is the Volt = Joule/Coulomb
As a 1 coulomb charge moves through a potential
difference of 1 volt, the charge loses (or gains) 1
joule of energy
Examples
• Batteries: the difference
between the two
terminals on a battery
ranges from 1.5 volts to
12 volts – as charges
move from one terminal
to another, the energy
can be used for work, like
water falling over a water
mill is used to do work
• Household electrical
outlet is 120 volts
Potential Difference in a Uniform
Electric Field
∆V = -E∆d
∆d is the displacement in the direction of the
electric field; perpendicular movement in
an electric field does not change the
electric potential difference. Why is there
a negative sign here?
(Remember the equation for E? It’s from
chapter 17: E = kcq1/r2)
Potential difference between a
point at infinity and a point near a
point charge
• Huh? Don’t stress over this too much, look
at the explanation on pg. 672
∆V = kc q
r
Vectors in Electric Potential?
• No, these are scalar quantities!
• Simply add the Electrical Potentials,
paying attention to the signs, to get the
algebraic sum
A battery does work to move charges!
• Inside a 12 volt battery, the electric field does 12 joules
of work to move a 1 Coulomb charge from the (-)
terminal to the (+) terminal
• when you connect your device to this battery, the charge
moves from the (+) terminal, through the device toward
the (-) terminal, and gives up the 12 joules of energy to
power your device.
• When it reaches the (-) terminal, the charge has an
electric potential of zero again, and the battery does 12
more joules of work on the charge to get it back to the
(+) terminal, ready for another round trip through your
device.
Chapter 18 – Electric
Potential and Capacitance
Section 3 - Capacitance
Capacitors and Charge Storage
• A parallel plate capacitor consists of two parallel
metal plates separated by a non-conducting
material, then rolled into a cylinder. One plate is
attached by a conducting wire to the (-) terminal
of a battery, the other plate is attached to the (+)
terminal of the battery
• The difference in potential energy in the battery
causes opposite charges to build up on the
plates, so that eventually the potential difference
between the plates is equal to the potential
difference between the battery terminals
• In this way, the capacitor can store
charges and their potential energy away
from the battery
• The “capacitance” of a conductor is its
ability to store energy in the form of
electrically separated charges
2C