chapter 3

ELECTRIC
POTENTIAL
CONTENTS

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO POINT CHARGE

POTENTIAL DUE TO A GROUP OF POINT CHARGES

POTENTIAL GRADIENT

RELATION BETWEEN E AND V

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACE
CONTENTS

POTENTIAL DUE TO AN ELECTRIC DIPOLE

AXIAL POSITION
EQUATORIAL POSITION
POTENTIAL AT ANY POINT

WORK DONE IN ROTATING AN ELECTRIC DIPOLE

POTENTIAL ENERGY OF AN ELECTRIC DIPOLE

Electric Potential
The work done by an external agent in carrying a unit pos-
itive test charge from infinity to a point in the electric field
is called the electric potential at that point.

V=

Positive charge always flows from a higher potential to a lower po-

tential, while negative charge always flow from a lower to a higher
potential until the potential becomes equal.
 S.I. UNIT

1 joule
1 volt =
1 coulomb

if 1 joule of work is done in carrying a test charge of 1

coulomb from infinity to a point in an electric field, then
the potential at that point will be 1 volt.

2 −2
[M L T ] 2 −3 −1
Dimensional Formula ¿ ¿[ M L T A ]
[ AT ]
Potential Difference
The work done by an external agent in carrying a unit pos-
itive test charge from one point to the other point in the
electric field is called the potential difference between
those points.

electron-volt
1eV is the work done in taking one electron from one point to the
other, when the potential difference between these points is 1 volt.
Electric Potential due to a Point-Charge
Considering a point charge of +q at point O.

If the electric potential is to be determined at P, kept at a distance r from O.

𝒒𝒐
+q
⃗
F
O r P B dx A
Placing a test charge at A x
at distance x.

Let the test charge be displaced by the distance dx from B to A.

The direction of is away from O.

The work done,

dW = F. (-dx)
Negative sign indicates the direction of displacement is opposite to
the direction of force.
Work done in bringing the test charge from infinity to point P.

+q 𝒒𝒐
⃗
F
O r P B dx A
x
r
W = −∫ F . dx
∞
1 q q0
F=
4 π ε0 K x2
r
1 q q0
W =− ∫ 2
. dx
∞ 4 π ε0 K x
r
q 𝑞0 1
W =−
4 π ε0 K ∞
∫ x
2
. dx

W =−
q 𝑞0
4 π ε0 K
− 1
𝑟
+
∞
1
[ ]
1 𝑞 𝑞0
W=
4 π ε0 K 𝑟
The potential at P
𝑊
𝑉 =
𝑞0

1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 K 𝑟

The potential at P due to –q charge

𝟏
𝐄∝
𝐫𝟐 1 𝑞
V =−
4 π ε0 K 𝑟
𝐕∝𝟏
𝐫
E or V

r
Potential due to a Group of Point-Charge
Considering point charges of , , and at distances from
point O.

𝐪𝟏 𝐪𝟐 𝐪𝟑 𝐪𝟒
𝐕= 𝟒
𝟏
𝛑 𝛆𝟎 [ 𝐫𝟏 +
𝐫𝟐 −
𝐫𝟑 −
𝐫𝟒 ]
If there are n point charges

𝐕= 𝟏 𝐪
∑ 𝐫
𝐧
𝐢
𝟒 𝛑𝛆 𝟎 𝐢
=𝟏 𝐢
If charge is distributed among the surface
𝟏 𝝈 𝒅𝑨
𝐕= 𝟒 𝛑𝛆 ∫ 𝒓
𝟎
If charge is distributed among the surface

𝐕= 𝟏
∫
𝛒 𝐝𝐕
𝟒 𝛑𝛆 𝟎 𝐫
Potential Gradient

Whenever a parameter changes with distance, then the rate of change is

called ‘gradient’.

The rate of change of potential with distance in the electric field is called
the ‘potential gradient’.

Let dV is the change in potential with change in distance dr

potential gradient =
𝐝𝐕
𝐝𝐫
It is a vector quantity.

Its unit is V/m

Electric Field as Gradient of Electrical Potential
Relation between E and V
Considering a point charge of +q at point O.
V V-dV
+q
⃗
F
O r A dr B + 𝒒𝒐

Suppose A and B are two points distant r and r + dr from O.

Let the electric potential at A and B be V and V-dV
Force F acts on in the direction of the field.
In moving from B to A, an external agent will have to work against force F.

dW = F(-dr)
dW = (-dr)
……….. (i)
 Potential Difference,
dW
=V − (V − dV )
q0
………………….(ii)

Comparing eq (i) and (ii),

𝐝𝐕
− E . dr = dV

𝐄 =−
𝐝𝐫
The electric field intensity at a point in an electric field in a given direc-
tion is equal to the negative potential gradient in that direction.
 Electrical Potential Energy of a System of
Charges
The electric potential energy of a system of charges is the work that has been
done in bringing those charges from infinity to near each other to form the
system.
Considering a system formed by two charges of + and + coulomb
+ +
Let the distance between the charges be r
r
A B
Electric potential at B due to charge + (Considering the charge at infinity.
𝟏 𝐪𝟏
𝐕=
𝟒𝛑 𝛆𝟎 𝐫
The work done in bringing the charge from infinity to point B is-
𝟏 𝐪𝟏 𝐪𝟐
𝐖 = 𝒒𝟐 𝐕 =
𝟒 𝛑 𝛆𝟎 𝐫
This is electric potential energy 𝟏 𝐪𝟏 𝐪𝟐
𝐔=
𝟒𝛑 𝛆𝟎 𝐫
 Equipotential Surfaces
Any surface over which the electric potential is same everywhere is called an
equipotential surface.

𝐕= 𝟒𝛑 𝛆 𝟏 𝐪
𝟎 𝐫

Equipoten-
tial
Equipotential
Surface
Surface
+
q

Line of Force
Line of Force
 Important Properties of Equipotential Surfaces

1. No work is done in moving a charge between any two points on an equipotential

surface.
2. The electric field, lines of force are normal to the equipotential surface.

3. The spacing between the equipotential surfaces will be less where E is strong and
vice-versa.
𝟏
𝐝𝐫 ∝
𝐄
4. No two equipotential surfaces can intersect each other.
 Potential due to an Electric Dipole
Potential at a Point on the Axis of the Dipole
Let AB be an electric dipole. A 𝒍 O 𝒍 B P

If the electric dipole to be

determined is at P.
-q +q 𝒓
Electric potential at B. 𝟏 𝒒 𝟏 𝒒
𝑉= −
𝟏 𝒒 𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 (𝒓 − 𝒍 ) 𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 (𝒓 +𝒍)
𝑽 𝟏=
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺𝟎 (𝒓 − 𝒍) 𝒒 𝟏 𝟏
𝑉= [ − ]
Electric potential at A. 𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 (𝒓 − 𝒍 ) ( 𝒓 +𝒍 )
𝑽 𝟐 =−
𝟏 𝒒
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 (𝒓 +𝒍 )
𝑉 =
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺𝟎
𝒒 𝟐𝒍
𝒓 𝟐 − 𝒍𝟐 [ ]
Resultant potential at P.
𝑽 =𝑽 𝟏 +𝑽 𝟐
𝑽=
𝟏
[ 𝒑
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 𝒓 𝟐 − 𝒍𝟐 ]
When r >> 2l
𝟏 𝒑
𝑽=
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐
Potential at a Point on the Equatorial of the Dipole
P
Let AB be an electric dipole.

If the electric dipole to be determined is at P.

Electric potential at B. Electric potential at A.
𝟏 𝐪 𝟏 𝐪
𝐕𝟏 = 𝐕 𝟐 =−
𝟒 𝛑 𝛆𝟎 𝐁𝐏 𝟒 𝛑 𝛆𝟎 𝐀𝐏
Resultant potential at P A B
𝐕 = 𝐕𝟏 + 𝐕 𝟐 -q
𝒍 O
𝒍
+q

𝐕=
𝐪
(𝟏
−
𝟒 𝛑 𝛆𝟎 𝐁𝐏 𝐀𝐏
𝟏
)
𝐕 =𝟎
As, the electric field is normal to the equipotential surface.
So, electric field on the equipotential line will be zero.
Potential at any Point along the Dipole P

Let AB be an electric dipole.

Electric potential to be calculated at P.
If be the polar coordinates of P.
𝒓
Taking r >>
BP = CP = OP – OC = C

AP = DP = OP + OD = 𝜃
A B
Electric potential P due to +q -q +q
O
1 𝑞 1 𝑞
𝑉 1= 𝑉 1= 𝒍 D 𝒍
4 𝜋 𝜀 0 𝐵𝑃 4 𝜋 𝜀0 (𝑟 −𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃)
Electric potential P due to -q

1 𝑞 1 𝑞
𝑉 2= 𝑉 2=−
4 𝜋 𝜀 0 𝐴𝑃 4 𝜋 𝜀0 (𝑟 +𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃)
𝑽 =𝑽 𝟏 +𝑽 𝟐

-
P
-

𝒒 𝟐 𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
𝑽=
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 (𝒓 𝟐 − 𝒍 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐 𝜽 )
𝟏 𝒑 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 𝒓
𝑽=
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 (𝒓 𝟐 − 𝒍 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐 𝜽 )
C
as, r >>
𝟏 𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 A 𝜃 B
𝑽= -q +q
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐 O

𝒍 D 𝒍
Comparison
Potential at a Point on the Axis of the Dipole 𝑽=
𝟏
[ 𝒑
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 𝒓 𝟐 − 𝒍𝟐 ]
Potential at a Point on the Equatorial of the Dipole 𝐕 =𝟎
𝟏 𝒑 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
Potential at any Point along the Dipole 𝑽 =
𝟒 𝝅 𝜺 𝟎 (𝒓 𝟐 − 𝒍 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐 𝜽 )
Conclusion
1 1
𝑊h𝑒𝑛 𝜃 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 , 𝑉 ∝ 2 𝑟𝑎𝑡h𝑒𝑟 𝑡h𝑎𝑛 𝑉 ∝
𝑟 𝑟

𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑉 𝑖𝑠𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑂𝑁𝐿𝑌 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑟 , 𝑟𝑎𝑡h𝑒𝑟 𝜃 𝑡𝑜𝑜 .

 Work Done in Rotating an Electric Dipole
in an Electric Field

as we know that,
τ = pEsinθ + q⃗
E
q
work done in rotating the dipole

2l
further from this position through 2lsin
an infinitesimally small angle ⃗
E
d W =torque × angular displacement -q 𝜃
q⃗
E
d W =τ 𝑑 𝜃
d W = pE sinθ dθ
 work done in rotating the dipole from the angle
θ 2

W =∫ pE sinθ dθ
θ1

W = pE ¿
W = pE ¿
W = pE ¿
Conditions
When θ 1 =0 ° ∧θ 2 =θ
W = pE ¿
When θ 1 =0 ° ∧θ 2 =90 °
W = pE
When θ 1 =0 ° ∧θ 2 =180 °
W =2 pE
 Electric Potential Energy of an Electric Dipole
in an Electrostatic Field
The potential energy of an electric dipole in an electric field is equal to the work done in
bringing the dipole from infinity to inside the field.

An electric dipole is brought from infinity to a uniform electric field.

A 𝒍 O 𝒍 B

-q +q

= force on charge (-q) x additional distance moved

= -qE x 2l
= -pE
Potential Energy of the electric dipole placed in the electric field parallel to it
= -pE
NUMERICAL
PROBLEMS
1. The amount of work done in bringing a charge of 1.3 x 10-7
C from infinity to a point in an electric field is 6.5 x 10-5 J. Find
the electric potential at the point.

V=
1. The amount of work done in bringing a charge of 1.3 x 10-7
C from infinity to a point in an electric field is 6.5 x 10-5 J. Find
the electric potential at the point.
2. How much work is done in bringing a charge of 2.5 x 10-6 C from one
point to another, if the potential difference between the two points is 4 V ?

V=
2. How much work is done in bringing a charge of 2.5 x 10-6 C from one
point to another, if the potential difference between the two points is 4 V ?
3. 5 J work is done in moving a positive charge of 0.5 C
between two points. Find the PD between the points.

V=
3. 5 J work is done in moving a positive charge of 0.5 C
between two points. Find the PD between the points.
4. Compute electric potential at a distance of 0.1 m from a point charge of
4 x 10-9 C.

1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 𝑟
1 9 𝟐 −𝟐
for vacuumis 9.0 x 10 𝐍 𝐦 𝐂
4 𝜋 𝛆0
4. Compute electric potential at a distance of 0.1 m from a point charge of
4 x 10-9 C.
5. A wire is bent in a circle of radius 10 cm. It is given a charge of 250 C
which spreads on it uniformly. What is the electric potential and intens-
ity of field at its centre?
1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 𝑟
1 9 𝟐 −𝟐
for vacuumis 9.0 x 10 𝐍 𝐦 𝐂
4 𝜋 𝛆0

R
r

E=0
5. A wire is bent in a circle of radius 10 cm. It is given a charge of 250 C
which spreads on it uniformly. What is the electric potential and intens-
ity of field at its centre?

R
r

E=0
6. Calculate in the given figure : (i) electric potentials at
points A and B, (ii) work done in taking the same amount of
negative charge from A to B, (OA = 0.10 m, 0B = 0.20 m).

+10 0.20 m
O 0.10 m A B

1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 𝑟
1 9 𝟐 −
for vacuumis 9.0 x 10 𝐍 𝐦 𝐂
4 𝜋 𝛆0

1 𝑞 𝑞0
W=
4 π ε0 𝑟
6. Calculate in the given figure : (i) electric potentials at
points A and B, (ii) work done in taking the same amount of
negative charge from A to B, (OA = 0.10 m, 0B = 0.20 m).
7. A charge A of 8.0 C is situated at a distance of 1.00 metre from a
charge B of -2.0 , as shown. Calculate the potential at the mid-point C
between A and B. Also calculate the potential at D which is at a distance
of 0.80 m from A and 0.20 m from B. How much work will be done in taking
0.02 C of charge from D.

+8.0 +2.0
A 0.50 C 0.30 m D 0.20 m B
m

1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 𝑟

1 9 𝟐 −𝟐
for vacuumis 9.0 x 10 𝐍 𝐦 𝐂
4 𝜋 𝛆0

1 𝑞 𝑞0
W=
4 π ε0 K 𝑟
7. A charge A of 8.0 C is situated at a distance of 1.00 metre from a
charge B of -2.0 , as shown. Calculate the potential at the mid-point C
between A and B. Also calculate the potential at D which is at a distance
of 0.80 m from A and 0.20 m from B. How much work will be done in taking
0.02 C of charge from D.
8. Two charges +20 C and —10 C are 6 cm apart. Find electric potential at
a point distant 4 cm on the right bisector of the line joining the charges.

1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 𝑟

1 9 𝟐 −𝟐
for vacuumis 9.0 x 10 𝐍 𝐦 𝐂
4 𝜋 𝛆0
8. Two charges +20 C and —10 C are 6 cm apart. Find electric potential at
a point distant 4 cm on the right bisector of the line joining the charges.
9. The potential due to a point charge at a distance
of 0.3 m is 103 V. What will be the electric field intens-
ity due to the same charge at a distance of 0.4 m?

1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 𝑟

1 9 𝟐 −𝟐
for vacuumis 9.0 x 10 𝐍 𝐦 𝐂
4 𝜋 𝛆0

1 𝑞
E=
4 𝜋 𝜀0 𝑟 2
9. The potential due to a point charge at a distance
of 0.3 m is 103 V. What will be the electric field intens-
ity due to the same charge at a distance of 0.4 m?
10. The electric field at a point due to a point charge is 20 NC-1 and the
electric potential at that point is 10 JC-1 . Calculate the distance of the
point from the charge and the magnitude of the charge.

1 𝑞
V=
4 π ε0 𝑟

1 9 𝟐 −𝟐
for vacuumis 9.0 x 10 𝐍 𝐦 𝐂
4 𝜋 𝛆0

1 𝑞
E=
4 𝜋 𝜀0 𝑟 2
10. The electric field at a point due to a point charge is 20 NC-1 and the
electric potential at that point is 10 JC-1 . Calculate the distance of the
point from the charge and the magnitude of the charge.
11. A point charge of 6.0 x 10-8 C is situated at the coordinate origin. How
much work will be done in taking an electron from the point x = 3 m to x = 6
m?
11. A point charge of 6.0 x 10-8 C is situated at the coordinate origin. How
much work will be done in taking an electron from the point x = 3 m to x = 6
m?
12. At each corner of an equilateral triangle charges of +250 C
are placed in air. What will be the resultant electric potential at the
centroid of the triangle whose distance from each corner is 18 cm?
12. At each corner of an equilateral triangle charges of +250 C
are placed in air. What will be the resultant electric potential at the
centroid of the triangle whose distance from each corner is 18 cm?
13. Electric charges of the same nature and each of 100 C are placed at the
corners of a square having a diagonal of 2 m. Determine the resultant poten-
tial at the centre of the square.
13. Electric charges of the same nature and each of 100 C are placed at the
corners of a square having a diagonal of 2 m. Determine the resultant poten-
tial at the centre of the square.
14. 10 J of work is required to move a charge of -200 C from point A to B.
(i) Which of the two points is at higher potential? (ii) What is the PD between
them? (iii) If the points are 4 cm apart, what is the component of the electric
field parallel to the line joining A and B?
14. 10 J of work is required to move a charge of -200 C from point A to B.
(i) Which of the two points is at higher potential? (ii) What is the PD between
them? (iii) If the points are 4 cm apart, what is the component of the electric
field parallel to the line joining A and B?
•15. 3.24 x 10-4 J of work is done in taking 3.0
x 10-8 C of charge in a uniform electric field
from one point to the other. If the distance
between the points be 12 cm, calculate the
intensity of the electric field.
•15. 3.24 x 10-4 J of work is done in
taking 3.0 x 10-8 C of charge in a
uniform electric field from one point to the
other. If the distance between the points
be 12 cm, calculate the intensity of the
electric field.
16. Two plane metallic plates are at a distance of 2 cm. These are connec-
ted to a battery of 1000 V A proton is placed between these plates. Find out
(i) intensity of electric field between the plates, (ii) force on the proton.
Will the proton experience different forces at different places between the
two plates?
17. The distance between two horizontal parallel plates is 2.0 cm and the
potential difference between them is 120 V Calculate : (i) electric field
between the plates, (ii) force on an electron passing in between the plates,
(iii) increase in electrical energy of the electron in moving from one
plate to the other.
•18. How much kinetic energy is gained
by an electron, initially at rest, when it
moves through a potential difference of
1000 V? Leave your answer in Joule.
19. An -particle at rest is accelerated through 106 V (i) What will be its kin-
etic energy? (ii) If a proton be accelerated through the same potential differ-
ence, then how much kinetic energy will it gain? (iii) Which particle will gain
more velocity if both start from rest?
20. The mutual electric potential energy between two protons in a uranium
nucleus is 2.4 x 105 eV. Find the distance between the protons.
•21. An electron is
circulating around the
nucleus of a hydrogen
atom in a circular orbit of
radius 5.3 x 10-11 m.
Calculate the electric
potential at this radius
and electric potential
energy of the atom in eV
What would be the
electric potential due to a
helium nucleus at the
same radius?
22. Three point-charges q1 (-1 C), q2 (+2 C) and q3 (-1 C) are placed in air in
a line. The distance between q1 and q2 is 1 m and that between q2 and q3 is
also 1 m. Calculate the electrostatic energy of the system.
23. Three equal charges of 5.0 C each are placed at the three vertices of an
equilateral triangle of side 5.0 cm each. Calculate the electrostatic potential
energy of the system of charges. (ISC 2007)
•24. Two positive charges, of 10 C each
are situated 10 cm apart from each other.
What is the increase in the electrostatic
potential energy of the system when
the two charges are brought closer by 2
cm? (ISC 2002)
25. (i) Calculate the work required to assemble each of the systems of
charges (which is same as the electrostatic potential energy of the system)
shown in Fig. (a) and (b). (ii) A charge qo is brought from infinity to the
centre of the square, the four charges being held fixed at its corners. How
much extra work is needed to do this?
26. The distance between two protons is 1.0 x 10-10 m. If they are made free,
what will be the kinetic energy of each when they are away at a very large dis-
tance from each other? If one proton is kept fixed and only other is freed then
what will be its kinetic energy?
27. Two electrons are released towards each other with equal
velocities of 106 m s-1. What will be the closest approach between
them?
28. Two point charges of +1.0 x 10-6 C and -1.0 x 10-6 C are at a distance 2.0
cm apart from each other. This electric dipole is situated in a uniform elec-
tric field of 1.0 x 105 V/m. . What will be the maximum torque acting on it due
to the field? What will be the work done for rotating it through 180⁰ from the
equilibrium position?
29. An electric dipole of length 2 cm is placed with its axis making an angle
of 60⁰ to a uniform electric field of 105 N/C . If it experiences a torque of 8 N-
m, calculate (i) magnitude of the charge on the dipole and (ii)
potential energy of the dipole.
30. Two point charges of +3 C and - 3 C are at a distance 3 x 10-3 m apart
from each other. Calculate (i) electric potential at a distance of 0.6 m from the
dipole in broad-side-on position, (ii) electric potential at the same point after
rotating the dipole through 90⁰.
31. Compute the electric potential at the surface of the nucleus of a silver
atom. The radius of the nucleus is 3.4 x 1014 m and the atomic number of
silver is 47.
32. A hollow metallic sphere of 0.1 m radius is given a charge of 12 C. Cal-
culate the potential at the surface and at the centre of the sphere.
33. A hollow spherical conductor of radius 12 cm is given a charge of 2.4 x
10-9 C. (i) Calculate the potential on the surface of the conductor. (ii) Cal-
culate the intensity of electric field in air at a distance of 4 m from the
centre of the sphere.
34. The electric potential due to a hollow, charged metallic sphere of radius
12 cm at a point distant 6.0 cm from its centre is 100 V. Calculate the poten-
tial at the surface of the sphere and at a point 20 cm from the centre
35. The electric potential due to a charged sphere of radius 2.0 cm is 400
V at a distance of 10 cm from the centre. What will be the electric field
at a distance of 20 cm from the centre of the sphere?
36. Eight charged drops of water, each of radius 1 mm and having a
charge of 10-10 C, combine to form a bigger drop. Determine the potential of
the bigger drop.
37. 27 identical drops of mercury are charged to the same potential of 10
V. What will be the potential if all the charged drops are made to combine to
form one large drop? Assume the drops to be spherical.
38. Calculate the voltage needed to balance an oil drop carrying 10 elec-
trons between the plates of a capacitor 5 mm apart. The mass of the drop is 3
x 10-16 kg and g = 10 ms-2