Electrostatic Potential

Definition

Electrostatic potential is the potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electrostatic field. It represents the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge from infinity to that point, and is a measure of the electric potential energy of a charged particle in an electric field.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electrostatic potential is measured in units of volts (V), which is the same unit as electric potential.
2. The electrostatic potential at a point is directly proportional to the amount of charge creating the electric field and inversely proportional to the distance from the charge.
3. The electrostatic potential at a point is the same regardless of the charge of the test charge used to measure it.
4. The electrostatic potential is zero at infinity, and increases as you move closer to a positive charge and decreases as you move closer to a negative charge.
5. The electric field at a point is equal to the negative gradient of the electrostatic potential at that point.

Review Questions

• Explain how electrostatic potential is related to the work done in moving a charge in an electric field.
  • The electrostatic potential at a point in an electric field represents the potential energy per unit charge at that point. The work done in moving a test charge from one point to another in the electric field is equal to the difference in electrostatic potential between those two points. This potential difference is the amount of work per unit charge required to move the charge from the initial point to the final point.
• Describe the relationship between electrostatic potential and electric field.
  • The electric field at a point in an electric field is equal to the negative gradient of the electrostatic potential at that point. This means that the direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the equipotential surfaces, and the magnitude of the electric field is inversely proportional to the spacing between the equipotential surfaces. The electrostatic potential can be used to calculate the electric field, and vice versa, as they are closely related properties of an electric field.
• Analyze how the electrostatic potential of a point charge varies with distance from the charge.
  • The electrostatic potential of a point charge is inversely proportional to the distance from the charge. As you move closer to a positive charge, the electrostatic potential increases, and as you move closer to a negative charge, the electrostatic potential decreases. This is because the work done in moving a test charge closer to a positive charge is positive, and the work done in moving a test charge closer to a negative charge is negative. The electrostatic potential at infinity is defined as zero, and the potential at any other point is the work per unit charge required to move the test charge from infinity to that point.

Related terms

Electric Potential:

Electric potential is the potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electric field. It is the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge from infinity to that point.

Equipotential Surface:

An equipotential surface is a surface where the electric potential is constant. All points on an equipotential surface have the same electrostatic potential.

Potential Difference:

Potential difference is the difference in electrostatic potential between two points in an electric field. It is the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge between those two points.