Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Fluorine, Reduction Potential, Electric Potential Energy

• School: Western University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: Political Science 1020E
• Professor: Nigmendra Narain

Document Summary

There are many similarities between gravitational potential energy and electric potential energy. To help us understand electric potential energy, it may be helpful to review gravitational potential energy and extend the concepts we have learned. When a mass is placed in a gravitational field it has a certain amount of potential energy relative to a starting position. If the mass is moved toward a, there is a gain in gravitational potential energy. If the object is moved toward b, there is a loss of gravitational potential energy. If the object is moved toward c, there is no change in the energy. Charged objects in electric fields behave in a similar way to masses placed in gravitational fields. For example, a small positive charge (q+) is placed in the electric field created by the positive and negative charges as shown in the diagram below.