ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL

The potential energy always increases in the direction we would have to do work, in order to move the charge ourselves. In other words the increase in the potential energy U is the work we do to move a charge from one point to another in an electric field E.


U = -q1∫ E2• dr and V = -∫ E• dr so V = (kq)/r, and dV = (k dq)/r.














In the standard language of vector calculus, E =  - ∇V.

Equipotential surfaces are everywhere precisely perpendicular to the E field lines.


Some worked examples with electric potential V.








The existence of an electric field in empty space means that the empty space contains stored energy. The energy density is given very simply in terms of the magnitude of the electric field.




Alessandro Volta (1745 - 1827)

Next
Back