Lesson 3.

Electric Potential and

Potential Difference

General Physics 1/2

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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
One may visualize
circuitry as an energy
conversion system.

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In an electric circuit,
the chemical energy
from a battery does
work on a charge by
moving it from low to
high potential
terminal.

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This is then transformed into electrical energy
within the battery, before being transformed into
other forms of energy, such as heat and light.

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This lesson will enable you to probe deeper into
how electric potential enables this mechanism
to work.

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What is electric potential?

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 Learning Competencies
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Relate the electric potential with work,

potential energy, and electric field
(STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-15).

● Solve problems involving electric potentials in

contexts such as, but not limited to, electron
guns in CRT TV picture tubes, conditions for
merging of charge liquid drops (STEM_GP12EM-
IIIc-22).
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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Differentiate between electric potential and

potential difference.

● Explain the relationships between charges, electric

field, and electric potential.

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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Calculate the electric potential in a unit of charge.

● Identify the applications of electric potential and

potential difference in circuitry.

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How will you differentiate
electric potential from potential
difference?

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 Electric Potential

● Electric potential, simply called potential, is defined

as the potential energy contained in a single unit of
charge.

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 Electric Potential

● Electric potential, simply called potential, is defined

as the potential energy contained in a single unit of
charge.
● It refers to the potential energy U per unit charge in
relation to the charge q0.

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 Electric Potential

The SI unit of electric potential is one volt (V), which is also

equivalent to 1 joule per coulomb (J/C).
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 Electric Potential

● Recall that an electric force moves a charge from one

point to another.

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 Electric Potential

● Recall that an electric force moves a charge from one

point to another.
● This work can be related to potential difference.

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 Electric Potential

The electric potential difference Va – Vb is referred to as the

potential of a in relation to b (Vab).

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 Electric Potential

“The electric potential Vab of Va with respect to Vb is

equivalent to the work (expressed in J) done by the force
when a charge moves from one point to another.”

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 Electric Potential

This potential difference between points a and b is also

called voltage, expressed in joules per coulomb or volts.

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What is the difference between
electric potential and potential
difference?

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Charge and Electric Potential

Recall:

Electric potential energy that as the charged particle

moves, UE decreases.

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Charge and Electric Potential

Recall:

Electric potential energy that as the charged particle

moves, UE decreases.

What happens to the electric potential of a charged

particle as it moves?

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Charge and Electric Potential

It depends on the type of charge the particle possess.

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Charge and Electric Potential

When does V increase in a positive point charge?

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Charge and Electric Potential

When does V decrease in a negative point charge?

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 Applications of Potential Difference in Circuitry

Analyze the illustration here.

The voltage present in this

battery is equivalent to the
difference in potential Vab =
Va – Vb between the positive
and the negative terminal
points of the battery.
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 Applications of Potential Difference in Circuitry

In battery-operated electric
circuits, work must be
applied to a positive charge
so that it can move from the
negative terminal to the
positive terminal.

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 Applications of Potential Difference in Circuitry

This increases the charge’s

potential energy, thus
increasing electric potential.

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 Applications of Potential Difference in Circuitry

Then, the positive charge

transfers through the
external circuit from the
negative to the positive
terminal, but electric
potential energy and the
corresponding potential
decrease.
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 Applications of Potential Difference in Circuitry

This loss in potential energy

in the external circuit brings
about a gain in different
forms of nonelectrical
energy such as light and
heat energy.

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How are the concepts of
potential and potential
difference applied in circuitry?

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Tips

Always be mindful of the relationships

among electric potential, electric field,
and electric force. The field always flows
from regions of high to low voltage, and
the direction of the force on a charge is
in the direction of the field if q > 0 and
away from it if q < 0.

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Remember

Since both charge and potential energy

are scalars, electric potential is also
considered as a scalar.

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Remember

Electric potential and potential are two

different concepts, and are thus
expressed differently in mathematical
terms. Electric potential energy is
expressed in joules, whereas potential
is expressed in volts.

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 Let’s Practice!

Determine the electric potential 4.3 ✕ 10-14 m from a

fragment that contains 10 protons.

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 Let’s Practice!

Determine the electric potential 4.3 ✕ 10-14 m from a

fragment that contains 10 protons.

The electric potential is equivalent to 3.35 ✕ 105 V.

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Try It!

Determine the electric potential 1.2 ✕

10-14 m from a fragment that contains 50
protons.

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 Let’s Practice!

A sphere has a point charge of 6.43 μC at its very

center. At what distance from this point charge will
the potential be 2 MV?

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 Let’s Practice!

A sphere has a point charge of 6.43 μC at its very

center. At what distance from this point charge will
the potential be 2 MV?

The distance from the center is 0.0289 m.

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Try It!

A sphere has a point charge of 1.21 mC

at its very center. At what distance from
this point charge will the potential be
1.77 MV?

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 Let’s Practice!

A Van de Graaff generator has a 200-cm diameter

sphere containing a charge of 5.00 ✕ 10-3 C at its
center. Determine the potential near the surface and
the distance from the center if the electric potential
is 1.00 ✕ 106 V.

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 Let’s Practice!

A Van de Graaff generator has a 200-cm diameter

sphere containing a charge of 5.00 ✕ 10-3 C at its
center. Determine the potential near the surface and
the distance from the center if the electric potential
is 1.00 ✕ 106 V.

The electric potential near the surface is 4.5 ✕ 107 V

and the distance from the center with the given
potential is 45 m.
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Try It!

A Van de Graaff generator has a 1500-

millimeter diameter sphere containing a
charge of 7.50 ✕ 10-3 C at its center.
Determine the potential near the
surface and the distance from the
center if the electric potential is 6.4 ✕
106 V.

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 Check Your Understanding

Identify whether each statement is true or false.

1. One V is equivalent to one coulomb per joule.

2. Electric potential and electric potential energy are

similar terms.

3. The SI unit of electric potential is 1 volt (V).

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 Check Your Understanding

Solve the following problems:

1.Solve the electric potential 6.6✕10-14 m from a fragment
that contains 10 protons.

2.What will be the electric potential 4.3✕10-14 m from the

same fragment if it contains 25 electrons instead?

3.A sphere has a radius of 9 m. Determine the potential if

the charge at the sphere’s center has a magnitude of 567
mC. 44
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Electric potential, also called potential, is

defined as the potential energy contained in a
single unit of charge. The SI unit of electric
potential is one volt (1 V), which is also equivalent
to 1 joule per coulomb (1 J/C).

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● The electric potential Vab of Va with respect to Vb is

equivalent to the work (expressed in J) done by
the force when a charge moves from one point
to another.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● If there is a positive point charge, the electric field

is understood to be heading against that charge
and the potential V is positive at any point from
the charge. V decreases as you move away from
the point charge and increases as you move
closer toward it. The opposite is true for any given
negative point charge.

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 Key Formula

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Electric Potential
solve the potential
where
when the magnitude of
● V is the potential;
the charge and the
● k is Coulomb’s
radius are given.
constant;
● q is the magnitude
of the charge, and
● r is the radius.

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Challenge Yourself

A particle with a negative charge of -

9.9 mC moves through a 4 ✕ 103 V
loss of electric potential. Considering
that electric force is conservative,
determine whether there will be a
loss or increase of UE.

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Bibliography

Coletta, Vincent P. Physics Fundamentals. Lakeville, MN: Physics Curriculum & Instruction, Inc., 2010.

Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual Physics (11th ed). New York: Pearson Education, 2010.

Holt, R., Serway, R., & Faugn, J. Physics. Austin, TX: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006.

Macalalad, E. P. and Vergara, R. L. Exploring the Realms of Science: Physics. Valenzuela City: JO-ES
Publishing House, Inc., 2011.

Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. Fundamentals of Physics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011.

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