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Electric Potential

Electric Fields
The region surrounding a charge where another charge
will experience a force

5/25/2017
APHY101
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Electric Potential

Electric Potential Energy
The electric potential energy (PEe ) is the energy of a
charge due to its location relative to other charges
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5/25/2017
APHY101
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Electric Potential

Electric Potential Energy
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ΔPEe = W when work is done on the system
• Pushing like charges together or separating unlike charges
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ΔPEe = -W when work is done by the system
• When like charges repel or unlike charges attract
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This is similar to gravity
• Lifting an object vs. dropping an object
5/25/2017
APHY101
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Electric Potential

Electric Potential Energy
Work is done when you
move a charge against an
electric field
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5/25/2017
APHY101
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Electric Potential

Electric Potential
Electric potential ( V ) is the electric potential energy
per charge
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• Unit: J/C or volts
Each object in the
diagram has the same
potential but different
potential energy
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APHY101
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Electric Potential

Electric Potential Difference

The difference in electric potential between two points
• Also known as voltage or ΔV
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Sources: batteries and outlets
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APHY101
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