Relationship Between Energy, Force, Potential, and Field

AI Thread Summary
Electric potential is distinct from electric potential energy as it exists independently of a test charge, while potential energy requires one for its calculation. The relationship between these concepts is clarified by stating that electric potential energy corresponds to electric force, just as electric potential relates to the electric field. The electric force is defined as the negative gradient of electric potential energy, whereas the electric field is the negative gradient of electric potential. This framework helps in understanding the interactions between charges and fields in electrostatics. Overall, recognizing these distinctions enhances comprehension of electric phenomena.
matangi7
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I was answering the question, "Since electric potential is always proportional to potential energy, why bother with the concept of potential at all?"
I answered that this is because Electric Potential Energy requires a test charge to calculate, Electric Potential is present without a test charge. Based on this, is it safe to say that Electric potential energy is to electric force as electric potential is to electric field?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It is safe to say that. In fact the electric force is the negative gradient of the electric potential energy and the electric field is the negative gradient of the electric potential.
 
  • Like
Likes matangi7
Thanks!
 
The rope is tied into the person (the load of 200 pounds) and the rope goes up from the person to a fixed pulley and back down to his hands. He hauls the rope to suspend himself in the air. What is the mechanical advantage of the system? The person will indeed only have to lift half of his body weight (roughly 100 pounds) because he now lessened the load by that same amount. This APPEARS to be a 2:1 because he can hold himself with half the force, but my question is: is that mechanical...
Some physics textbook writer told me that Newton's first law applies only on bodies that feel no interactions at all. He said that if a body is on rest or moves in constant velocity, there is no external force acting on it. But I have heard another form of the law that says the net force acting on a body must be zero. This means there is interactions involved after all. So which one is correct?
Thread 'Beam on an inclined plane'
Hello! I have a question regarding a beam on an inclined plane. I was considering a beam resting on two supports attached to an inclined plane. I was almost sure that the lower support must be more loaded. My imagination about this problem is shown in the picture below. Here is how I wrote the condition of equilibrium forces: $$ \begin{cases} F_{g\parallel}=F_{t1}+F_{t2}, \\ F_{g\perp}=F_{r1}+F_{r2} \end{cases}. $$ On the other hand...
Back
Top