IB Physics Topic D.2.4 Electric Potential and Work Revision Notes (HL)

IB Physics Topic D.2.4 Electric Potential and Work Revision Notes (HL) | RevisionDojo

Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Electric potential energy and electric potential are fundamental concepts in understanding how charged particles interact.

Electric Potential Energy

Definition

Electric potential energy

Electric potential energy is the energy stored in a system of charged particles due to their positions relative to each other.

For two point charges, the electric potential energy is given by:

$$
E_p = \frac{k q_1 q_2}{r}
$$

where:

$E_p$ is the electric potential energy.
$k$ is Coulomb's constant ($8.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N m}^2 \, \text{C}^{-2}$).
$q_1$ and $q_2$ are the magnitudes of the charges.
$r$ is the distance between the charges.

Tip

The formula resembles Coulomb’s law, but instead of force, it calculates energy.

Properties of Electric Potential Energy

Scalar Quantity: Electric potential energy is a scalar, meaning it has magnitude but no direction.
Depends on Charge Signs:
1. If the charges are of opposite signs, the energy is negative, indicating an attractive interaction.
2. If the charges have the same sign, the energy is positive, indicating a repulsive interaction.
Reference Point: The reference point for electric potential energy is usually taken at infinity, where the energy is zero.

Example

Consider two charges, $q_1 = 2 \, \mu\text{C}$ and $q_2 = -3 \, \mu\text{C}$, separated by $0.05 \, \text{m}$.
The electric potential energy is: $$E_p = \frac{(8.99 \times 10^9)(2 \times 10^{-6})(-3 \times 10^{-6})}{0.05} = -1.08\,\text{J}$$
The negative sign indicates an attractive interaction.

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Tip

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Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Electric potential energy and electric potential are fundamental concepts in understanding how charged particles interact.

Electric Potential Energy

Definition

Electric potential energy

Electric potential energy is the energy stored in a system of charged particles due to their positions relative to each other.

For two point charges, the electric potential energy is given by:

$$
E_p = \frac{k q_1 q_2}{r}
$$

where:

$E_p$ is the electric potential energy.
$k$ is Coulomb's constant ($8.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N m}^2 \, \text{C}^{-2}$).
$q_1$ and $q_2$ are the magnitudes of the charges.
$r$ is the distance between the charges.

Tip

The formula resembles Coulomb’s law, but instead of force, it calculates energy.

Properties of Electric Potential Energy

Scalar Quantity: Electric potential energy is a scalar, meaning it has magnitude but no direction.
Depends on Charge Signs:
1. If the charges are of opposite signs, the energy is negative, indicating an attractive interaction.
2. If the charges have the same sign, the energy is positive, indicating a repulsive interaction.
Reference Point: The reference point for electric potential energy is usually taken at infinity, where the energy is zero.

Example

Consider two charges, $q_1 = 2 \, \mu\text{C}$ and $q_2 = -3 \, \mu\text{C}$, separated by $0.05 \, \text{m}$.
The electric potential energy is: $$E_p = \frac{(8.99 \times 10^9)(2 \times 10^{-6})(-3 \times 10^{-6})}{0.05} = -1.08\,\text{J}$$
The negative sign indicates an attractive interaction.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Topic A - Space, time and motion5 subtopics

Topic B - The particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Topic C - Wave behaviour5 subtopics

Topic D - Fields4 subtopics

Topic E - Nuclear and quantum physics5 subtopics

IB Physics D.2.4 Electric Potential and Work Notes

Topic A - Space, time and motion5 subtopics

Topic B - The particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Topic C - Wave behaviour5 subtopics

Topic D - Fields4 subtopics

Topic E - Nuclear and quantum physics5 subtopics

Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Electric Potential Energy

Properties of Electric Potential Energy

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Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Electric Potential Energy

Properties of Electric Potential Energy

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