WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

General Physics 2 – Grade 12, Quarter 3, Week 3

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to:

1. relate the electric potential with work, potential energy, and electric field (STEM_GP12EM-
IIIb-15);
2. determine the electric potential with work, potential energy, and electric field
(STEM_GP12EM-IIIb-17);
3. infer the direction and strength of electric field vector, nature of the electric field sources,
and electrostatic potential surfaces given the equipotential lines (STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-18);
4. calculate the electric field in the region given a mathematical function describing its
potential in a region of space (STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-20); and
5. solve problems involving electric potential energy and electric potentials in contexts such
as, but not limited to, electron guns in CRT TV picture tubes and Van de Graaff generators
(STEM_GP12EM-IIIc-22).

Time Allotment: 4 Hours

Key Concepts

• Electric potential energy is the energy stored in a

uniform electric field which can be used to move the
charges present in the field (by exerting force).
• The work done by ⃗𝑭⃗ can always be expressed in terms
of potential energy if the force is conservative. The work
done by conservative force is given by:
𝑾𝒂→𝒃 = 𝑼𝒂 −𝑼𝒃 = −(𝑼𝒃 −𝑼𝒂) = −𝚫𝑼

That equation is justified more on Figure 1. It is

shown there that when 𝑊𝑎→𝑏 is positive, Ua is
negative, and the potential energy decreases.
• The change in kinetic energy Δ𝐾 = 𝐾𝑏 −𝐾𝑎 during a
displacement is equal to the total work done on the
Fig. 1. The work done on a baseball moving in
particle according to the work-energy theorem. If a uniform gravitational field.
only conservative forces do work, then the Source: “Sears and Zemansky’sModern Physics”, 13 University Physics

with th edition equation above gives the total work, and

𝑲𝒃 +𝑼𝒂 = 𝑲𝒃 +𝑼𝒃
• The concept of electric potential energy in uniform field is best shown in the Fig. 2. In the
figure, a pair of charged parallel metal plates sets up a uniform, downward electric field with
magnitude 𝑬. The field exerts a downward force with magnitude 𝑭 = 𝒒𝟎𝑬 on a positive test
charge 𝒒𝟎. As the charge moves downward a distance 𝒅 from point a to b, the force on the test
 charge is constant and independent of its location. So the work done by the electric field or the
force is the product of the force magnitude and the component of
displacement in the (downward) direction of the force: is equal to 1 joule per
𝑾𝒂→𝒃 = 𝑭𝒅 = 𝒒𝟎𝑬𝒅 coulomb (1 J/C):
hence giving us
𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒
⃗𝑭⃗ = 𝒒𝟎𝑬
1 𝑉 = 1 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡 = 1 =
This work is positive since the force is in the same direction
as the net displacement of the test charge. With this
situation therefore, the Potential Energy (which depends on 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏
position) is given by: • The difference 𝑽𝒂 −𝑽𝒃 is
𝑼 = 𝒒𝑬𝒚 called the potential of a
• From there, equations for electric potential energy of two- with respect to b, which is
point charges are obtained: sometimes abbreviated as
𝒒𝒒 𝟎 𝑽𝒂𝒃; 𝑽𝒂𝒃 = 𝑽𝒂 −𝑽𝒃. In
𝑼=𝒌 or electric circuits, the
𝒓 potential difference
𝟎
𝟏 𝒒𝒒
between two points is often
𝑼= called voltage (Fig.
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓
4).
(coulomb’s law for electric potential energy of two-point charges
𝑘 𝟏
𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑞0, where 𝟒𝝅 𝝐𝟎 )

• For a system of several point charges (like that of Fig. 3), we

have an equation for electric potential energy to be:
𝒒𝟎 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐 𝒒𝟑
𝑼
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝟏 𝒓𝟐 𝒓𝟑 𝒒𝟎
𝒒𝒊
𝑼 ∑
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝒊
𝒊

• The total potential energy of the system is given by the Fig. 2. The work done on a point
charge moving in a uniform electric
equation: field.
𝟏 𝒒𝒊𝒒𝒋 Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics”, 13th edition.
𝑼 ∑
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎𝒓𝒊𝒋
𝒊 𝒋

• Electric potential, often called simply potential is potential

energy per unit charge.
• Potential V at any point in an electric field is defined as
potential energy U per unit charge associated with a test
charge 𝒒𝟎 at that point:
𝑼
𝑽= 𝒐𝒓 𝑼 = 𝒒𝟎𝑽
𝒒𝟎 Fig. 3. The potential energy
associated with a charge q0 at point a
• Both the potential energy and charge are scalar quantities. depends on the other charges q 1,
The SI unit of potential, called Volt (1 V) in honor of the q2, and q3 and on their distances r1, r2,
Italian electrical experimenter Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), and r3 from point a.
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University
 Physics with Modern Physics”, 13th edition Fig. 4. The voltage of this battery
equals the difference in potential 𝑉𝑎𝑏
=𝑉𝑎 −𝑉𝑏 between its positive terminal
(point a) and its negative terminal
(point b).
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics”, 13th edition

• An instrument that measures the difference of potential between two points is called a
voltmeter. Voltmeters that can measure a potential difference of 1 𝜇𝑉 are common, and
sensitivities down to 10−12𝑉 can be attained.
• To find the potential V due to point charge q, we have
𝑼 𝟏𝒒
𝑽= =
𝒒𝟎 𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓
where r is the distance from the point charge q to the point at which the potential is
evaluated.
• To find the potential due to a collection of point charges, we have
𝑼 𝟏𝒒𝒊
𝑽

𝒒𝟎 𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎𝒓𝒊
𝒊

where, in this expression, 𝑟𝑖 is the distance from th 𝑖th charge, 𝑞𝑖, to the point at which V is
evaluated.
• To find the electric potential from Electric field, we use equation:

𝑽𝒂𝒃 ⃗𝑬⃗ 𝒅𝒍
𝒂

In this expression, ⃗𝑬⃗ is the electric field which is equal to force per unit test charge.
• Electron volt is the quantity of energy required for an electron to move through a potential
difference of 1V.
• The magnitude of 𝓮 of the electron can be used to define unit of energy that is useful in
many calculations with atomic and nuclear systems.
• The quantity of energy is defined to be 1 electron volt (1 eV):
𝟏 𝒆𝑽 = 𝟏.𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟗 J
The multiples meV (milli), keV (kilo), MeV (mega), GeV, (Giga) and TeV (tera) are often used.
• Equipotential surface is a three-dimensional surface on which the electric potential V is
the same at every point.
• Field lines and equipotential surfaces are always mutually perpendicular.
• Field lines are curves, and equipotential surfaces are curved surfaces (Fig. 5).
 • When all charges are at rest, the surface of a conductor is always an equipotential surface
and all points in the interior of a conductor are at the same potential. When a cavity within
a conductor contains no charge, the entire cavity is an equipotential region and there is no
surface charge anywhere on the surface of the cavity.

Fig.

5. Cross sections of equipotential surfaces and electric field lines for assemblies of point charges.
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics”, 13 th edition
Activity 1. Tell me what you think!

Learning Objectives:

1. Relate the electric potential with work, potential energy, and electric field.
2. Determine the electric potential with work, potential energy, and electric field.
3. Infer the direction and strength of electric field vector, nature of the electric field sources,
and electrostatic potential surfaces given the equipotential lines.

Materials needed: ballpen, and scientific calculator (if necessary)

What to do: Provide answers according to what is/are asked in the items below. Limit your
answers in utmost 4 sentences only.

1. From the concepts that you have learned above, how do you think electric potential relates
to: (you may present some equations if necessary) a. work:

b. potential energy:

c. electric field:

2. In examining Fig. 5, how would you describe the direction and strength of electric field
vector, nature of the electric field sources, and electrostatic potential surfaces given the
equipotential lines, and even the potential differences at:

a. a single positive charge (Fig. 5a):

b. an electric dipole (Fig. 5b):

 c. at two equal positive charges (Fig.
5b):

RUBRICS

3 2 1 0
The answer is The answer is The answer is No answer.
scientifically explained scientifically explained explained consistent
consistent to the consistent to the to the concepts but
concepts, and has no concepts, but with with misconceptions.
misconceptions. minimal misconceptions.

Activity 2. Be my solution!

Learning Objective:

1. calculate the electric field in the region given a mathematical function describing its
potential in a region of space; and
2. solve problems involving electric potential energy and electric
potentials in contexts such as, but not limited to, electron
guns in CRT TV picture tubes and Van de Graaff generators.

Materials needed: ballpen, and scientific calculator

What to do: Read and analyze the problem given. Show your Fig. 6. A collection of point
solutions neatly. charges.

Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University

Physics with Modern Physics”, 13th edition

Example: Two point charges 𝑞1 = +2.40 𝑛𝐶 and 𝑞2 = −6.50 𝑛𝐶 are 0.100 𝑚 apart. Point 𝐴 is
midway between them; point 𝐵 is 0.080 𝑚 form 𝑞1 and 0.060 𝑚 from 𝑞2 (Fig. 6). Take the electric
potential to be zero at infinity. Find:

(a) the potential at point 𝐴;

(b) the potential at point 𝐵;

In this problem, to find the potential difference at point A and B, we will use the equation in
finding the potential due to a collection of point charges which is

𝑼 𝟏 𝒒𝒊
𝑽= = ∑
𝒒𝟎 𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝒊
𝒊

𝑞𝑖

𝑖 𝑟𝑖

1 𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑉𝐴 = ( + )
 4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟𝐴1 𝑟𝐴2
9
𝑁⋅𝑚2/𝐶2)(+2.40 𝑥 10−9𝐶+−6.50 𝑥 10−9 𝐶)
𝑉𝐴 = (8.988 𝑥 10
0.050 𝑚 0.050 𝑚
𝑽𝑨 = −𝟕𝟑𝟕 𝑽

𝑞𝑖

𝑖 𝑟𝑖

1 𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑉𝐵 = ( + )
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟𝐵1 𝑟𝐵2
+2.40 𝑥 10−9𝐶 −6.50 𝑥 10−9 𝐶
𝑉𝐴 = (8.988 𝑥 109 𝑁⋅𝑚2/𝐶2)( + )
0.080 𝑚 0.060 𝑚
𝑽𝑨 = −𝟕𝟎𝟒 𝑽

1. Two point charges are located on the x-axis, 𝑞1 = −ℯ at 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑞2 = +ℯ at 𝑥 = 𝑎.

(a.) Find the work that must be done by an external force to bring point charge 𝑞3 = +ℯ from
infinity to 𝑥 = 2𝑎. [Hint: The work W equals the difference between (i) the potential
energy U associated with q3 when it is at x = 2a and (ii) the potential energy when it is
infinitely far away. The second of these is zero, so the work required is equal to U.] (b.)
Find the total potential energy of the system of three charges.

Solution: Fig. 7. A sketch of the situation after the third charge has been brought in from
infinity.

2. A proton (charge +ℯ = 1.602 𝑥 10−19 C) moves a distance 𝑑 = 0.50 𝑚 in a straight line between
points a and b in a linear accelerator. The electric field is uniform along this line, with
magnitude 𝐸 = 1.5 𝑥 107 𝑉
= 1.5 𝑥 107 𝑁 in the direction from a to b. Determine:
𝑚 𝐶

(a.) the force on the proton; Solution:

(b.) the work done on it by the field; Solution:

(c.) The potential difference 𝑉𝑎 −𝑉𝑏.

Solution
3. An electric dipole consists of point charges 𝑞1 =
+12 𝑛𝐶 and 𝑞2 = −12𝑛𝐶 placed 10.0 cm apart (Fig.
8). Compute the electric potentials at point a, b,
and c.

Solution:

Fig. 8. Electric Dipole

Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with
Modern Physics”, 13th edition

4. A particle with a charge of +4.20 𝑛𝐶 is in a uniform electric field ⃗𝑬⃗ directed to the left. It is
released from rest and moves to the left; after it has moved 6.00 cm, its kinetic energy is
found to be +1.50 𝑥 10−6 𝐽.
(a.) What work was done by the force?

(b.) What is the potential of the starting point with respect to the endpoint?

(c.) What is the magnitude of ⃗𝑬⃗ ?

Reflection

Every time you turn on a light, listen to an MP3 player, or talk in a mobile phone, you are using
electrical energy, an indispensable ingredient of our technological society. All these are energy
associated with electrical interactions specifically electric potential. What do you think our life
would be without these? Write your five-sentence answer in a separate sheet of paper.
RUBRICS

5 4 3 2 0
Practical Practical Practical Practical No discussion
application is application is application is applications are at
scientifically scientifically explained explained all.
explained explained consistent to the consistent to the
consistent to the consistent to the concepts but with concepts but with
concepts, and concepts, but one or two more than two
has no with minimal misconceptions. misconceptions.
misconceptions. misconceptions.