Download Sign Conventions Electrical Potential

Sign
Conventions E avg
Electrical
Potential
Moving in an electric field strength cause
changes in potential
= V/d
V = E d
It would be logical to set up a sign
convention where V is + when a +
test charge gains potential and negative
when it moves with the field
Moving against the lines would be a gain of
potential (like compressing a spring)
V = E d
+
So we say instead
+x
E avg = V/d
This doesn’t work!!
V = E d
What motion will cause no change in potential?
What motion will cause the largest change in potential?
Sign
Conventions
Electrical
Potential
V = kQ/r is the potential in that region of space a distance r
from a charge charge Q, assuming that the potential is zero at
____________.
When is V + ?
Neg?
Consider a positively charge metal sphere?
How will the charge distribute within the sphere?
How will potential change as you approach the sphere from
the outside?
Inside the sphere?
As you go away from
the sphere?
So inside a charged sphere V is always ______
V is always _______ and E is always _________
Electrons will rearrange themselves on any conductor until the
potential at all points on the surface is ______________
The electric field inside
this dome is ____.
The potential inside this
dome is _______
The change in potential
inside this dome is _____
The inside of such a 3d metal conductor with no field is called
a “Faraday Cage”. Electric fields cannot enter.