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September 6, 2016
Objectives
Given the equipotential lines, evaluate the electric field vector, nature
equipotential surfaces/lines
Given a mathematical function describing the potential in a region of
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Remark
Electric field lines and equipotential lines are perpendicular to each other.
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ConcepTest!
The equipotential lines of two mystery charges of equal magnitude are
shown. What are the signs of the charges?
A. +,
B. , +
C. ,
D. +, +
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Example
What is the work done by the electric field in moving a charge of 2 C from
point P to point R to point S?
WPS = UP US
= q0 (VP VS )
= (2 C)(2 V (5 V))
= 6J .
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More on conductors
We know that E~ = 0 inside a conductor. Consider a very, very small closed
path running in and out of a conductor.
~ ~
Suppose E~ on the surface
R had a tangential component. Then E d ` is not
zero. This means W = (q0 E~ ) d ~` is also not zero. But this violates the
conservative nature of the electric force: the work done in moving along a
closed path must be zero. Hence
The electric field on the surface of a conductor
is perpendicular to the surface
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More on conductors
E~ d ~l
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ConcepTest!
A. VX > VY > VZ
B. VX = VY < VZ
C. VX = VY > VZ
D. VX < VY < VZ
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Potential gradient
E~ V
V E~
Rb
Va Vb = a E~ d ~l
E~ = V
gradient
For radial electric fields,
= r
d
dr
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Potential gradient
+
+ k
=
x
y
z
&
partial derivative
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Example: f (x, y ) = x 2 y xy 3
g (x, y ) =
f
= x 2 y xy 3
x
= 2xy 1y 3
f
= x1 cos y sin x
x
= x12 cos y cos x
cos y + sin x
= 2xy y 3 .
f
= x 2 y xy 3
y
= x 2 1x(3y 2 )
f
= x1 cos y (sin x)1
y
= x1 ( sin y )(sin x)0
= x 2 3xy 2 .
= x1 sin y .
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Potential gradient
Example
Consider the potential V (x, y , z) = A + B Cxy 2 z 3 at a certain region in
space where A, B, and C are constants. What is the corresponding
electric field?
E~ = V
=
+
+ k
(A + B Cxy 2 z 3 )
x
y
z
= (A + B Cxy 2 z 3 )
x
(A + B Cxy 2 z 3 )
y
k (A + B Cxy 2 z 3 )
z
2 3
= (Cy z ) + (2Cxyz 3 ) + (3Cxy 2 z 2 ) k .
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Exercise!
kQ
a
ln 1 +
a
b
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Exercise!
E~ = V
kQ
a
=
ln 1 +
b
a
b
kQ
a
=
ln 1 +
a b
b
kQ 1 a
=
2
a 1 + ba
b
a
kQ b
2
=
a a+b
b
kQ
1
=
a b(a + b)
| {z }
kQ 1
1
=
.
a
b a+b
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