Small slightly an explanation:

Potential Energy
Potential energy is the energy something has because of where it is or what it's
doing.

Electric Potential Energy

Electric potential energy is the energy something has because of its electric
charge.

Electric Potential
Electric potential is like the "pressure" of electricity. It's measured in volts.

Calculating Potential Energy from Field

To calculate potential energy, you need to know the electric field and the charge.

Potential due to Point Charge

A point charge creates an electric potential around itself. The potential gets
weaker as you move further away.

Electric Potential due to Continuous Charge Distribution

A bunch of charges together create a more complex electric potential.

Calculating Field from Potential

If you know the electric potential, you can figure out the electric field.

Equipotential Surface
An equipotential surface is like a map of where the electric potential is the same.

Potential of Charged Conductor

A charged conductor has an electric potential. The potential is the same all over
the conductor.
Some key formulas:

- Electric potential energy: U = k * q1 * q2 / r

- Electric potential: V = k * q / r
- Electric field: E = -dV/dx

Comprehensive Guide to Electric Potential and Potential Energy

1. Potential Energy (U)

Definition:
Potential energy is the stored energy of a system due to the position or configuration
of objects within a conservative force field (e.g., gravitational, electric).

Key Points:
 Units: Joules (J).
 Conservative Force: Work done is path-independent (e.g., gravity,
electrostatic force).
 Change in Potential Energy ( Δ U ):
Δ U =−W ext
where W ext is the work done by an external force.

2. Electric Potential Energy (U E)

Definition:
The energy stored in a system of charges due to their positions in an electric field.

For Two Point Charges:

1 q1q2
U E=
4 π ϵ0 r

 Attractive Force (q 1 q 2 <0): U E is negative (work is released).

 Repulsive Force (q 1 q 2 >0): U E is positive (work is needed).

For Multiple Charges:

1 qi q j
❑
1
U E= ∑
2 i ≠ j 4 π ϵ 0 ri j
1
(The factor of avoids double-counting pairs.)
2
3. Electric Potential (V)
Definition:
Electric potential is the potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric
field.
UE
V=
q0

 Units: Volts (V) = J/C.

 Scalar Quantity: No direction, only magnitude.
Key Points:
 Potential Difference ( Δ V ):
W ext
Δ V =V B −V A=
q0
(Work done to move q 0 from A to B.)
 Zero Potential Reference:
o Often taken at infinity (V ∞ =0).

4. Calculating Potential Energy from the

Electric Field
The potential energy difference between two points is related to the work done against
the electric field:
B
Δ U E =−q 0∫ E ⋅ d l
A

 For a Uniform Field ( E=constant ):

Δ V =− E Δ x ( if E ∥ d l )

5. Electric Potential Due to a Point Charge

For a point charge Q , the potential at distance r is:
1 Q
V=
4 π ϵ0 r

 Positive Q : V >0 (repulsive).

 Negative Q : V <0 (attractive).
Example:
For Q=+1 nC at r =1 m:
 ( 9 × 109 ) ( 1× 10− 9)
V= =9 V
1

6. Electric Potential Due to Continuous

Charge Distributions
(A) Linear Charge Distribution ( λ )
1 λdl
V= ∫
4 π ϵ0 r

(B) Surface Charge Distribution (σ )

1 σdA
V= ∫
4 π ϵ0 r

(C) Volume Charge Distribution ( ρ )

1 ρdV
V= ∫
4 π ϵ0 r

Example (Ring of Charge):

For a ring with radius R and charge Q , the potential along its axis at distance z is:
1 Q
V=
4 π ϵ0 √ R2 + z 2

7. Calculating the Electric Field from Potential (Simplified

Explanation)
Key Idea:
The electric field (E) and electric potential (V) are deeply related.
 Electric Potential (V) tells us how much potential energy a charge would
have at a point.
 Electric Field (E) tells us how a charge would feel a force at that point.
The electric field is the "slope" (rate of change) of the potential.
 If potential changes rapidly in space → Strong electric field.
 If potential changes slowly → Weak electric field.

Mathematical Form:
The electric field is the negative gradient of the potential:
E=−∇ V
  Gradient (∇V) = How much V changes in each direction (x, y, z).
 Negative sign means the field points from high potential to low potential.

Breaking It Down (Step by Step):

(A) In 1D (Simple Case):
If potential V changes only along x :
dV
E x =−
dx
 Interpretation:
dV
o If V increases as x increases ( >0 ), then E x is negative (field points
dx
left).
dV
o If V decreases as x increases ( <0 ), then E x is positive (field points
dx
right).
Example:
Suppose V ( x )=5 x 2.
dV
 Then, =10 x .
dx
 So, E x =−10 x .
o At x=1, E x =−10 N/C (points left).
o At x=− 2, E x =20 N/C (points right).

(B) In 3D (General Case):

If V changes in x , y , z , the field has three components:

E=− ( ∂V∂x i^ + ∂∂ Vy ^j+ ∂∂Vz k^ )

 Partial derivatives (∂ ) mean we measure how V changes in each direction
separately.
Example:
Suppose V ( x , y , z ) =3 x +2 y 2 − z .
 Then:
∂V ∂V ∂V
=3 , =4 y , =−1
∂x ∂y ∂z
 So, the electric field is:
E=− ( 3 i+4^ y ^j− k^ )
o At y=1 , E=−3 i− ^ 4 ^j+ k^ .
Why the Negative Sign?
 The electric field points from high potential to low potential.
 If V increases in the + x direction, the field points in the − x direction (hence
the negative sign).
Analogy:
 Think of a ball rolling downhill:
o The steeper the hill (larger ∇ V ), the stronger the force (larger E ).
o The ball rolls from high potential to low potential, just like the field.

Special Case: Radial Potential (Point Charge)

1 Q
For a point charge, V = .
4 π ϵ0 r

 The field is:

dV 1 Q
E=−r^ = r^
dr 4 π ϵ 0 r2
 This matches Coulomb’s Law, confirming consistency.

Summary:
Situation Formula Interpretation
1D Potential d V Field is the slope of V .
E x =−
dx
3D Potential E=−∇ V Field points downhill in V .
Point Charge 1 Q Derived from V .
E=
4 π ϵ 0 r2

Still Confused? Try This:

1. Draw V ( x ) vs x .
o The slope at any point gives − E .
2. Imagine a ball rolling on V ( x ).
o The ball rolls where E points.

8. Equipotential Surfaces
Definition:
An equipotential surface is a region where the electric potential V is constant.
Key Properties:
1. No Work Needed: Moving a charge along an equipotential surface requires
no work (W =q Δ V =0).
2. Perpendicular to Field Lines:
o Electric field lines are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.
3. Examples:
o Point Charge: Concentric spheres.
o Uniform Field: Parallel planes.

9. Potential of a Charged Conductor

Key Properties:
1. Electric Field Inside:
E inside=0
2. Potential is Constant Everywhere on the Conductor:
o Charges redistribute to make the surface equipotential.
3. Potential at Surface:
1 Q
V=
4 π ϵ0 R
(For a spherical conductor of radius R .)
Faraday’s Cage Effect:
 The potential inside a hollow conductor is constant and equal to the surface
potential, even if external fields are present.

Final Summary
Concept Key Formula Application
Electric Potential Energy 1 q 1 q 2 Work to assemble charges.
U E=
4 π ϵ0 r
Electric Potential UE Potential energy per unit charge.
V=
q0
Point Charge Potential 1 Q Spherical symmetry.
V=
4 π ϵ0 r
Field from Potential E=−∇ V Deriving E from V .
Equipotential Surfaces V =constant No work movement, E ⊥ surface.
Charged Conductor Q Electrostatic shielding.
V surface=
4 π ϵ0 R
Conclusion
This guide covers electric potential and potential energy in depth, including
derivations, calculations, and applications. With this, you have a complete
understanding of electrostatics potential theory.