Electrical Energy and Current

…And the Commonalities between Gravity and Electric Fields CONTINUE!! Reference point Reference point Electrical Potential Energy Potential energy associated with a charge due to its position in an electric field

Electrical Potential Energy PE = -qEd PE = Electric Potential Energy (J) q = charge (C) E = Electric Field Strength (N/C) D = distance from reference point

Notice the Similarities…

Potential Difference V = PE/q PE = Electric Potential Energy (J) When a force pushes something over a distance…. WORK IS DONE! Electric Potential – the work that must be performed against electric forces to move a charge from a reference point to the point in question divided by the charge V = PE/q V = Electric Potential (V) PE = Electric Potential Energy (J) q = charge (C)

Potential Difference (ΔV): Since PE is arbitrary (we can choose where we want to start), a better measurement to use is potential difference “The difference in Electric Potential between two points in an Electric Field” Potential Difference (ΔV): 5 V - 2 V = 3 V 2 V Reference point 5 V

Potential Difference ohhhh the possibilities… ΔV = -Ed ΔV = -ΔPE/q ΔV = Potential Difference (V) Δ PE = Change in Electric Potential Energy (J) q = charge (C) ΔV = Potential Difference (V) E = Electric Field Strength (N/C) d = displacement (m) ΔV = kq / r ΔV = Potential Difference (V) k = coulomb’s constant q = charge (C) r = distance to point charge (m)

Kinematics (1st Semester) Electricity (2nd Semester) Gravitational Field (g) g = F/m (m/s2) Electrical Field (E) E = F/q (N/C) Law of Gravitation F = G m1 m2 / r2 Coulomb’s Law F = K q1 q2 / r2