Voltage difference and potential energy help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of potential difference and voltage difference in the context of electric fields and charged plates. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the definitions and distinctions between these terms, particularly in relation to work done and potential energy changes when moving between charged plates.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definitions of voltage and electric potential, questioning their differences and similarities. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between voltage, electric potential, and the work done on charges. Some participants also raise questions about the implications of voltage in relation to electric fields.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the concepts, with some providing explanations and analogies to differentiate between voltage and potential difference. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the terms, and while some guidance has been offered, multiple interpretations of the concepts are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential misunderstandings regarding the definitions of voltage and electric potential, as well as the role of electric fields in these concepts. There is an emphasis on the need for clarity in distinguishing between related terms.

lha08
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Homework Statement


I'm really confused when it comes to distinguishing the potential difference and the voltage difference between the two oppositely charged plates. Could someone help clear things up? Like is the potential difference the work done in terms of the potential energy change when we move from the positive to the negative plate? For example, I read that the potential difference is the work done on a charge while the voltage difference is the work done per charge..what's the difference?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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is your question what is the difference between voltage and the electric potential function (also notated as V in most texts)? Voltage and electric potential/scalar potential are two completely different things. Voltage is, what you said, the work per unit charge done by the electric field when a positive test charge is moved from point A to point B on a given path. Electric potential formula is: [Q / (4*pi*permittivity of free space constant*R)]. Let me know if this helps...
 


satchmo05 said:
is your question what is the difference between voltage and the electric potential function (also notated as V in most texts)? Voltage and electric potential/scalar potential are two completely different things. Voltage is, what you said, the work per unit charge done by the electric field when a positive test charge is moved from point A to point B on a given path. Electric potential formula is: [Q / (4*pi*permittivity of free space constant*R)]. Let me know if this helps...

yes I'm not sure what is the difference between the two because they seem like they're the same thing...which i know they're not..but like is there a specific difference between the two? do they both go against the electric field? do they both involve the potential energy?
 


what do you mean by voltage "going against the electric field"? Voltage doesn't necessarily have to do anything with the E-field. Think about a circuit schematic. No E-field required.

I suppose though, electrically speaking, potential and voltage are the same thing. However, potential and potential difference are NOT the same thing. Think about the temperature and the temperature difference, for example -> not equivalent. But if you're talking about the potential function, go back to my last post. Does this help?
 


satchmo05 said:
what do you mean by voltage "going against the electric field"? Voltage doesn't necessarily have to do anything with the E-field. Think about a circuit schematic. No E-field required.

I suppose though, electrically speaking, potential and voltage are the same thing. However, potential and potential difference are NOT the same thing. Think about the temperature and the temperature difference, for example -> not equivalent. But if you're talking about the potential function, go back to my last post. Does this help?

yes it does thanks!
 


Not a problem!
 

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