key term - ∇V

Definition

∇V, known as the del or nabla operator, represents the gradient of the electric potential (V) in a given region of space. It is a vector field that points in the direction of the maximum rate of change of the electric potential and its magnitude is equal to the rate of change of the potential per unit distance in that direction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The gradient of the electric potential, ∇V, is equal to the negative of the electric field, -E, at that point.
2. The direction of ∇V is the direction of the maximum rate of increase of the electric potential.
3. The magnitude of ∇V is equal to the rate of change of the electric potential per unit distance in the direction of the gradient.
4. ∇V is a vector field, meaning it has both magnitude and direction at every point in space.
5. The work done in moving a charge between two points in an electric field is equal to the negative of the change in electric potential between those points.

Review Questions

• Explain the relationship between the electric potential (V) and the electric field (E) in terms of the gradient ∇V.
  • The gradient of the electric potential, ∇V, is equal to the negative of the electric field, -E, at that point. This means that the direction of ∇V is the direction of the maximum rate of increase of the electric potential, and the magnitude of ∇V is equal to the rate of change of the electric potential per unit distance in the direction of the gradient. The work done in moving a charge between two points in an electric field is equal to the negative of the change in electric potential between those points.
• Describe the properties of the gradient ∇V as a vector field and how it relates to the conservative nature of the electric field.
  • The gradient ∇V is a vector field, meaning it has both magnitude and direction at every point in space. The direction of ∇V is the direction of the maximum rate of increase of the electric potential, and the magnitude of ∇V is equal to the rate of change of the electric potential per unit distance in that direction. The fact that ∇V is the negative of the electric field, E, indicates that the electric field is a conservative force, meaning the work done in moving a charge between two points depends only on the initial and final positions, and not on the path taken.
• Analyze how the concept of ∇V can be used to calculate the work done in moving a charge within an electric field, and explain the significance of this relationship.
  • The work done in moving a charge between two points in an electric field is equal to the negative of the change in electric potential between those points. This is because the electric field is a conservative force, and the gradient ∇V is equal to the negative of the electric field, -E. By knowing the electric potential at different points, one can use the relationship between ∇V and the electric field to calculate the work required to move a charge between those points, without needing to know the specific details of the electric field. This is a powerful tool in understanding and analyzing the behavior of charges in electric fields.

Related terms

Electric Potential:

Electric potential is the amount of work required to move a unit positive charge from infinity to a specific point in an electric field.

Electric Field:

The electric field is a vector field that describes the force exerted on a charged particle by the surrounding electric environment.

Conservative Force:

A conservative force is a force that does not depend on the path taken between two points, but only on the initial and final positions.