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wannabee_engi
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Homework Statement
- What does the following equation mean and how is it analogous to the relationship between the electric field and the the electrostatic force?
V ( ~r ) = U ( ~r ) / q
Questions I'm trying to understand:
- How are V and U different?
- Related to U: Negative charges go from low to high potential in positive E field. How does this work intuitively? They go against the direction of the E field and this brings them closer to the positive charge. Is it because if you keep them apart when they are close it takes a lot of force to do so? (just thought of this, this makes a lot of sense)
It makes sense for two positive or two negative charges, since you have to hold them there or they will want to separate like a compressed spring.
- The difference of Vf and Vi is the integral of E dot dr, dr being tangent to the E field at each point. Work is done by the electric force to move particles and this is equal but opposite to the change in electric potential. Is voltage dangerous because if let go (or circuit is connected) a lot of charge will be released?
- When V is defined from bringing a particle from infinity (i.e. infinite r makes the potential zero), how does what the particle is being brought to effect anything?
Homework Equations
V = U / q = kQ/r
U = kQq / r
The Attempt at a Solution
What I'm thinking so far: electric potential created by taking charge q close to another charge Q at distance r. Dividing this by q is V, the electric potential energy, which is the work per charge to bring it to that point. The electric field is what you have to work against because of the electrostatic force it exerts on charged particles.
Thanks for taking the time to read through my confusion if you do