Electrostatic Potential Concept

[Studiot]

Good morning, formal.

I am not sure what you are trying to achieve here.

For the purposes of the definition of electric potential the universe comprises a single point charge and the vector field (E)surrounding it.

What do you know about curl(E) in relation to velocity or time?

 

[formal]

I am afraid that I have a really difficult time communicating with you.

(these words were the welcome to the forum)

 

[thebiggerbang]

I think the main reason the OP got confused is that he assumed,incorrectly, that there was an implication that the work done in moving from A to B is independant of the route taken and the method used to do that work.The key point is that it is the work done on (or by) the field that is independant of the route taken and the method used to do that work.

I know my basics very well, that it is a conservative force :)

 

[formal]

the work done on the particle doesn't depend on its velocity )

That's exactly what I thought, too. Now, if you still think so, could you explain why
...the velocity of the charge must be vanishingly small?

Why can't we just fire a charge up a billion m/s (as dadface says) and measure E-PE?
Do you think EB is incorrect? can you improve or explain it?

THAT is what the thread is all about!

 

[formal]

...it implies that at some point of time the applied force was more than the force due to the electric field, there was no equilibrium.

hi tBB,
(if this is not it) ..could you please quote the explanation given in your textbook?

 

[formal]

1) It is important NOT to change the velocity .

2) If of opposite charge, negative work...negative potential results...
3)analogous to a (attractive) gravitational field where particles come closer together.

Hi Naty,
suppose we never change the velocity, but keep it steady at , say 20 cm/ sec, how would this v affect the measurement of PE?

2)if we assume a positive charge at the origin, we must move an electron from r= to infinity,right?
3) I assume a positive charge to make comparison betwwen gravitational vs Coulomb force easier.
Thanks