Chapter 24 Electric Potential In this chapter we will define the electric potential ( symbol V ) associated with the electric force and accomplish the following tasks: Calculate V if we know the corresponding electric field. Calculate the electric field if we know the corresponding potential V. Determine the potential V generated by a point charge. Determine the potential V generated by a discrete charge distribution. Determine the potential V generated by a continuous charge distribution. Determine the electric potential energy U of a system of charges. Define the notion of an equipotential surface. Explore the geometric relationship between equipotential surfaces and electric field lines. Explore the potential of a charged isolated conductor. (24-1)

O x . xi xf F(x) A B (24-2)

A B (24-3)

O (24-4)

r1 r2 r3 P q1 q3 q2 (24-5)

A B C (24-6)

. P r dq (24-7)

dq O A (24-8)

(24-9)

(24-10)

S A B  V q S V (24-11)

(24-12)

A B V V+dV (24-13)

A B V V+dV (24-14)

x y O q1 q2 q3 r12 r23 r13 (24-15)

y O x y  q1 Step 1 x O r12 q1 q2  Step 2 Step 3 x y O r12 r13 r23 q1 (24-16)

path A B conductor (24-17)

(24-18)

(24-19)

R (24-20)