Electric Potential and Electric Fields

In summary, electric potential is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field. It differs from electric field in that it is a scalar quantity rather than a vector quantity. The relationship between electric potential and electric field is given by E = -∇V, and in a capacitor, the potential difference is equal to the electric field strength multiplied by the distance between the plates. The electric potential due to a point charge also varies inversely with the distance from the charge, with the relationship V = kQ/r.
  • #1
IKonquer
47
0
Lets say you have a hollow sphere, which is a conductor, and you put some charge on it. I understand why the electric field inside the sphere is 0, but I don't see why the electric potential V is constant.

Could someone explain?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
[tex]\Delta V=-\vec{E}\cdot d\vec{\ell}[/tex]
 

1. What is electric potential?

Electric potential is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field. It is similar to altitude in a gravitational field, in that it represents the amount of work required to move a unit of charge from one point to another.

2. How is electric potential different from electric field?

While electric potential is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge at a specific point, electric field is a measure of the force per unit charge at that point. In other words, electric potential is a scalar quantity and electric field is a vector quantity.

3. What is the relationship between electric potential and electric field?

The relationship between electric potential and electric field is given by the equation E = -∇V, where E is the electric field, V is the electric potential, and ∇ is the gradient operator. This means that the electric field at a point is equal to the negative of the gradient of the electric potential at that point.

4. How are electric potential and electric field related to each other in a capacitor?

In a capacitor, the electric potential difference between the two plates is equal to the electric field strength multiplied by the distance between the plates. This relationship is given by the equation V = Ed, where V is the potential difference, E is the electric field, and d is the distance between the plates.

5. How does the electric potential vary with distance from a point charge?

The electric potential due to a point charge varies inversely with the distance from the charge. This means that as the distance from the charge increases, the electric potential decreases. The relationship between electric potential and distance is given by the equation V = kQ/r, where V is the potential, k is a constant, Q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge.

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