Lecture: Electric Potential and Potential Energy

Class Information

• Class Duration: 57 minutes
• Subject: Electric Potential and Potential Energy
• Next Class: Capacitance

Main Topics

Electric Potential

• Definition: The amount of work done to move a charge from one point to another.
• Potential Difference: Work divided by charge between two points.
• Unit of Potential: Volt (Joule/Coulomb)

Potential Due to Point Charge

• Potential: ( V = \frac{kQ}{r} )
• Positive charge has a positive potential and negative has negative.

Electric Potential Due to System

• Multiple Charges: The potential of each charge is added.
• Example: Potential calculation between charges in a square.

Work Done in Moving a Charge

• Calculation: ( W = q(V_B - V_A) )
• Path Dependence: Work does not depend on the path.

Equipotential Surface

• Definition: A surface where every point has the same potential.
• Properties:
  • No work done.
  • Electric field is perpendicular to the surface.

Electric Potential Energy

• Single Charge: No potential energy.
• For Two Charges: ( U = \frac{kQ_1Q_2}{r} )

Potential Energy of System

• Calculation: Potential energy is added for each charge pair.

Dipole Potential Energy in Uniform Electric Field

• Formula: ( U = -pE\cos\theta )
• Work: ( W = \Delta U = U_{f} - U_{i} )

Practice

• Download and solve practice sheets from Physics Wala App's Ummeed batch.
• Enroll for free in the Batch section.

These notes will help you create a useful reference document to remember the main points of the lecture.