What is Potential electric energy: Definition and 12 Discussions

Electric potential energy, is a potential energy (measured in joules) that results from conservative Coulomb forces and is associated with the configuration of a particular set of point charges within a defined system. An object may have electric potential energy by virtue of two key elements: its own electric charge and its relative position to other electrically charged objects.
The term "electric potential energy" is used to describe the potential energy in systems with time-variant electric fields, while the term "electrostatic potential energy" is used to describe the potential energy in systems with time-invariant electric fields.

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  1. Anmoldeep

    B Ion Trap and Time-Varying Potentials

    Ion traps are very complex, but one of my Physics Olympiad textbooks (this is not homework) presents a simplified model of a resonating charged particle in an ion trap which according to me is wrong, there is either something missing or something overspecified here. A tuned circuit...
  2. M

    Electric field in a circuit with a DC source

    So I understand that when an electric field is produced in a conductor of length L, the net electric field in the conductor will be 0 because the rearrangement of electrons in the conductor results in the production of its own electric field which cancels out the one produced initially...
  3. Hawkingo

    Why there is a negative sign in the formula of calculating work done?

    $$W = - \int _ { a } ^ { b } \vec { F } \cdot d \vec { r }$$ ( The Force here is referring to the applied force, When moving a positive charge towards another positive charge(stationary) / field In this formula why there is a negative sign in the formula? I am not asking the sign of the total...
  4. cianfa72

    Electric potential difference between a battery's + terminal and the ground

    Hi, I've a question about electricity in the following scenario: consider an accumulator (e.g. a 9V battery) and an analog/digital voltmeter having a probe connected to the accumulator + clamp and the other to the ground (for instance connecting it to a metal rod stuck in the ground). Do you...
  5. starstruck_

    Calculating voltage within and outside of a solid sphere

    Homework Statement A solid sphere with radius R=12 m has charge Q=3 nC distributed uniformly throughout its volume. (a) Calculate the potential difference between a location at infinity and a location on the sphere’s surface. (b) Calculate the potential difference between a location on the...
  6. theideasmith

    Difference in potential energy of two charge configurations

    Chapter 24, Question 61 Given two configurations, ##C_1##, ##C_2## of ##N## point charges each, determine the smallest value of ##N## s.t. ##V_1>V_2##. ##C_1##: ##N## point charges are uniformly distributed on a ring s.t. the distance between adjacent electrons is constant ##C_2##: ##N-1##...
  7. I

    Velocity of Three Charges Released from Equilateral Triangle

    Homework Statement Three equal charges with charge q and mass m are placed into an equilateral triangle of side length L. Find the speed of each when they are infinitely far from one another. Homework Equations -ΔU =ΔK (since the electric force is conservative), U= 1/4πε Σq1q2 /r The...
  8. recursive

    Capacitor Energy With Different Dielectrics

    Homework Statement Two parallel plates are connected to a battery which maintains a constant potential difference of 12.0 V. The distance between the plates can be varied and there are three plates of different dielectric materials available: rubber (0.40 mm, κ = 6.7), glass (4 mm, κ = 7) and...
  9. kostoglotov

    Is negative potential energy actually meaningful?

    Disclaimer: not sure if this is actually the most appropriate forum, but it is a question inspired by my work on a homework question...I'm happy for a moderator to move this to a different forum. (But General Physics states: NO HOMEWORK/COURSEWORK QUESTIONS HERE) 1. Homework Statement Ok...
  10. T

    Electric field, Electric Potencial, Electric Force, Potential Electric Energy

    Hi, I have some questions about these concepts. The equations: Electric field =\frac{K.|Q|}{d^2} Electric potential =\frac{K.|Q|}{d} Electric Force =\frac{K.|Q|.|q|}{d^2} Potential Electric Energy =\frac{K.|Q|.|q|}{d} Electric field and electric force are vectors, electric...
  11. T

    Point charges and potential electric energy

    This is probably child's play for most of you, but a guy like me struggles to understand basic concepts. A kick in the pants to set me off in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Homework Statement How far must the point charges q_1 = 7.60 microCoulombs and q_2 = -24.0...
  12. J

    Essay Question on Potential Electric Energy

    If the electric field is 0, then is the electric potential 0? If the Electric pottential 0 then is the electric field 0? Explain why or why not. .. I rather say my idea on this topic, this my first post I am rather shy...:frown:
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