3.7.3.3 - Electric Potential Flashcards
What is electric potential?
The work done in bringing a positive charge from infinity to a distance ‘r’ away from a charge Q.
Is electric potential scalar or vector?
Scalar.
When will V be positive?
When work is done against the field (repulsive)
When will V be negative?
When work is done by the field (attractive).
When does V = 0?
At infinity
What do the graphs for V against r look like?
When the force is repulsive the graph will look like a curve down, like a c shape. The attractive force is a reflection in the x axis.
How can you calculate electric field strength from the V r graphs?
The tangent to the gradient is equal to the electric field strength.
What is electric potential difference?
The difference in electrical potential between two points in an electric field.
What is electrical potential energy also called?
Work done.
What is significant about lines of equipotential?
No work is done to move a charge along it.
Under what graph is electric potential?
Under a E r graph.
