Electrostatics and Energy

Positive Work: Work was done ON the positive particle to move it against the electric field. It is convenient to define a new term, = P or P = where is measured in J/C.

is called the electric potential, and is the charge of the particle in C. In the diagram to the left, = P = . is the potential difference between the two positions, A and B. It is often called the voltage across the device in circuits, which can be measured with a voltmeter. Example 1: An electron close to the surface of the negative plate is attracted by the positive plate. Assuming that it starts at rest, calculate the electrons speed when it reaches the positive plate. Due to the conservation of mechanical energy, P = K or |P | = |K |

1 = (K f K i ) = K f = 2 2 = 2 2(1.6 1019 C)(1000 V) = = 1.9 107 m/s 9.11 1031 kg

Negative Work: Work was done BY the electron as it moves along the electric field. Electric Field Across Parallel Plates For a uniform electric field, constant force is needed to move the particle across. = = = where . or =

) = ( =

(only for parallel plates)

, Thus, we have shown that the uniform electric field between parallel plates, can be found if we know the potential difference and the separation of the plates. can also be measured in V/m.) (Note: we have also shown that

Aside: When the velocity of a particle approaches the speed of light ( ), we need to replace the rest mass 0 of the particle with its relativistic mass, given by = 0
2 1 2

(Refer to the unit on Special Relativity, Ch. 26)

The particle will never travel at a speed equal to or greater than the speed of light, . Example 2: Calculate the electric field between the plates. 1000 V = = = 6.7 104 V/m left (toward the negative plate) 0.015 m Accelerating Plates Deflecting Plates + 1.5 cm

1000 V

(Compare with projectile motion) Energy, Work, and Point Charges We have previously learnt that gravitational potential energy is given by P = .

This was derived by finding the area under a graph of gravitational force, G , vs. distance from Earths centre, . Now, we will use a similar process to determine the formula for electric potential energy. Consider the diagrams below. The work done to move the electron from i to f , away from the fixed point charge , is
f

=
i

where =
f

=
i

2 i f

f 1 1 = [ ] = ( ) i f i

Since work is also equal to the change in potential energy, P = P f P i = f i

As f , P f 0 (P decreases as we move farther away from ), so 0 P i = =0 i i P i = i

This electric potential energy will ultimately be positive: , , and i are all positive, while is negative and will cancel out the negative sign in front to give a positive value overall. In general, the electric potential energy of a charged particle at a distance away from a point charge source is given by P = If and have the same charge/polarity (ie. both positive or both negative), they will repel each other, and P > 0. P (J) Same Polarity If and have different charges/polarities (ie. one positive, one negative), they will attract each other, and P < 0. As we get farther and farther away from the point charge (ie. tends to infinity), the electric potential energy approaches zero. That is, (m) P = 0. Again, notice the similarities between gravitational and electric potential energy. From our equation for electric potential energy, we can also write Opposing Polarities P = = =

to represent the electric potential due to a point charge . Note: Energy and potential difference are scalar. Do not worry about direction here (there are no components either). Example 3: Calculate the work done to move the electron from A to B. Note: Negative signs must be used in the equation and NOT OMITTED. P = = ( ) B A

 1 1 or P = P B P A = ( )( ) = [ ] B A B A = (9 109 Nm2 /C 2 )(+5 106 C)(1.6 1019 C) [ Example 4: Calculate 1 1 ] = 1.2 1013 J 0.03 m 0.02 m

a) the protons change in potential as it moves from A to B. A = 1 A + 2 A = = 1 2 + 1 A 2 A

(9 109 Nm2 /C2 )(+1 106 C) (9 109 Nm2 /C2 )(2 106 C) + = 3.5 105 V 0.09 m 0.04 m B = 1 B + 2 B = 1 2 + 1 B 2 B

(9 109 Nm2 /C2 )(+1 106 C) (9 109 Nm2 /C2 )(2 106 C) + = 1.2 105 V 0.15 m 0.10 m = B A = (1.2 105 V) (3.5 105 V) = 2.3 105 V

b) the work done to get the proton from A to B. ( = +1.6 1019 C) = P = = (+1.6 1019 C)(2.3 105 V) = 3.7 1014 J