PHYS 1112 - Introductory Physics
II
Lesson 3 - Electric Potential
and Electric Potential Energy
Study Assignment:
Study: Chapter 20, Sections 20.1 - 20.3
Lesson notes:
In your study of mechanics in Introductory Physics I, the concept of potential energy was introduced to provide a method for solving problems involving conservative forces without having to resort to the use of force vectors. Review the definition of work and potential energy from PHYS 1111. We will make use of those definitions to find a method for calculating the electric potential energy of a charged particle in an electric field and then define a new quantity electric potential which will allow us to avoid the use of electric field vectors in many problems involving electricity.
Objectives:
1. Know that static electric fields are conservative.
2. Know the definition of electric potential energy.
3. Know the definition of the electric potential difference between two points in space.
4. Know and be able to apply the definition of the electron volt (eV).
5. Be able to calculate the amount of work required to move a charged particle between two points when the electric potential difference between the points is known.
6. Be able to calculate the electric potential difference between two points in space due to the electric field of a point charge.
7. Be able to calculate the electric potential at a point in space due to the presence of multiple point charges.
Vocabulary:
volt
Homework:
Last update: August 07, 2007