Electric Potential

[Jessica]

Objects naturally move from high potential energy to low potential energy.
Work is required to move an object from low to high potential energy.

Gravitational Potential Energy: the work required to move a mass against a gravitational field
Electric Potential Energy: the work required to move a charge against an electric field


For parallel plates:
The electric field between two parallel plates is uniform, so the force to move a charge within that field will be constant.

W = EqΔx


For point charges:
The closer to the point charge, the stronger the electric field. Thus, the force to move a charge within the e-field is NOT constant.

W[subs]12[/subs] = ΔPE[subs]12[/subs] =
∞ is our reference point

W = PE = =

---

Electric Potential (V):
The work per unit charge required to bring a charge from a very large distance (reference point = ∞) to a particular point in an electric field



units: J/C = Volt