The discussion clarifies the relationship between electric fields and potential energy, confirming that electric potential energy is indeed a type of potential energy, analogous to gravitational potential energy. The equations governing these concepts are similar, with charge replacing mass and the constant ##\frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0}## substituting for gravitational constant G. The distinction between gravitational and electric potential is emphasized, noting that while both obey the inverse square law, they dominate different physical scenarios. The discussion concludes that the change in potential energy due to electric fields is equivalent to negative work.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electric fields and their effects on potential energy.
You should distinguish between Gravitational and Electric Potential. They are very distinct. ``Everything has 'some of each' but in the majority of circumstances that are commonly described, only one of them dominates. It's the Gravitational Potential that governs what planets do and it's the Electrical potential that describes the behaviour of electrons and ions in most circuits and old TV tubes. Life as a small flying insect involves both gravitational and electrical forces because the viscosity of the air is caused by electrical potential at a molecular level but, in still air and without flapping its wings, gravitational force will pull an insect down to the Earth (very slowly). You won't get asked questions about that situation at School level."When I look this up". Where are you looking?JoeyBob said:Summary:: When I look this up everything is talking about the effect an electric field has on potential.
Like an electric field is applying a sort of force on a particle. I was wondering if this at all impacts the potential energy of a particle. For instance, when the force of gravity does work on an object, its potential energy changes as a consequence. Would it be the same thing here?
Google... https://www.google.com/search?q=ele...69i60j69i61.7079j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8sophiecentaur said:You should distinguish between Gravitational and Electric Potential. They are very distinct. ``Everything has 'some of each' but in the majority of circumstances that are commonly described, only one of them dominates. It's the Gravitational Potential that governs what planets do and it's the Electrical potential that describes the behaviour of electrons and ions in most circuits and old TV tubes. Life as a small flying insect involves both gravitational and electrical forces because the viscosity of the air is caused by electrical potential at a molecular level but, in still air and without flapping its wings, gravitational force will pull an insect down to the Earth (very slowly). You won't get asked questions about that situation at School level."When I look this up". Where are you looking?
Electric potential energy is one type of potential energy. Similarly with gravitational potential energy, chemical potential energy, elastic potential energy, etc.JoeyBob said:But as you can see its talking about electric potential energy. Is this the same as potential energy
Did you read the first two lines of my post which you have just quoted? The word "potential```' refers to stored energy per unit of charge (or mass).JoeyBob said:But as you can see its talking about electric potential energy. Is this the same as potential energy?
Yes, the definition in terms of work is the same for all types of potential energy.JoeyBob said:So its change is the same as negative work?