Electric Potential & Flux: Meaning & Questions

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SUMMARY

Electric potential is defined as the energy per unit charge, while electric flux is the product of the electric field (E field) and the area through which it passes. The potential at a point indicates the work required to move a unit charge from a reference point, typically where the potential is zero. The potential difference between two points can vary based on the configuration of the electric potential, including scenarios involving coaxial cylinders. Thus, potential differences are not inherently the same across different configurations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and their properties
  • Familiarity with the concept of electric potential and potential difference
  • Knowledge of basic electrostatics and charge interactions
  • Concept of flux in relation to electric fields
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  • Study the mathematical formulation of electric potential and its applications
  • Explore the relationship between electric field strength and flux in various geometries
  • Investigate the implications of potential difference in different physical configurations
  • Learn about the principles of electrostatics in coaxial conductors
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Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electric potential and flux in electrostatics.

semc
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Electric potential is defined as the amount of energy per unit charge and flux is defined as the product of the E field and the area passing through. Does electric field and flux have any other physical meaning other than the equation? What does it really mean when you say the potential at a point? Is the potential difference between 2 points the same as the potential difference between 2 hollow cylinder coaxial with one another with the same separation?
 
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semc said:
What does it really mean when you say the potential at a point? Is the potential difference between 2 points the same as the potential difference between 2 hollow cylinder coaxial with one another with the same separation?

Well, the potential at a point is related to the amount of work you need to do in order to move a unit charge from some reference location to the point you mention, e.g. from some point with potential 0V. The potential is a function that assigns such a value to each point in space.

I don't quite understand the question in the the second part of what I quoted. The potential between two points can be any value, depending on the configuration of the electric potential. So can the potential difference between two metal objects, e.g. two cylinders.

Torquil
 

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