Module 14: Electric Potential

Question 1

What is the Electric Potential Equation?

Answer 1

V = kQ/r
V —> Electric potential (Volt)
k —> Coulomb constant ( 9.0 x 109 Newton * m2 / C2 )
Q —> Magnitude of the fixed charge
R —> Distance between the fixed charge and the moving one

Question 2

What is the Potential Energy equation?

Answer 2

PE = qV
PE —> Potential Energy
q —> Magnitude of the other charge
V —> The electric potential from the fixed charge

(Additionally, here is the change-in-potential-energy equation)
ΔPE = qΔV

Question 3

What is another word for an insulator?

Answer 3

Dielectric. It is usually used in reference to the object between the two charged plates in a capacitor.

Question 4

What is the Equation to Calculate Electric Potential for Capacitors?

Answer 4

V = Q / Cq
V —> Electric potential
Q —> Total amount of positive charge stored in the capacitor
Cq —> Capacitance of the capacitor

Question 5

What is the unit for a Farad?

Answer 5

C/volt = Farad

This is the unit for the Capacitance of the capacitor.

Question 6

When a particle travels from the negative plate in a capacitor to the positive plate, it experiences an _______ in electric potential. If it moves the opposite way, it experiences a _______ in electric potential.

Answer 6

When a particle travels from the negative plate in a capacitor to the positive plate, it experiences an increase in electric potential. If it moves the opposite way, it experiences a decrease in electric potential.

Question 7

Define Electron Volt.

Answer 7

The decrease in potential energy when an electron moves through a potential difference of exactly 1 volt

Question 8

Define Capacitor.

Answer 8

A device that stores charge.

Question 9

What is the equation for Kinetic Energy?

Answer 9

KE = 1/2 * m * v^2
KE —> Kinetic Energy
m —> Mass
v —> Velocity

Question 10

Are electric potential and potential energy the same?

Answer 10

No, they both represent different physical units and therefore describe different physical phenomena.