PHYS 142 Chapter Notes - Chapter 25: Test Particle, Robert Andrews Millikan, Electric Potential Energy
8 May 2012
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25. 1: electric potential and potential difference: electric potential. Change in the electric potential energy of a system. We often take the value of the electric potential to be zero at come convenient point in an electric field: potential difference. Potential difference is not the same as potential energy. Potential difference between a and b exists solely because a source charge and depends on the source charge distribution. For the potential energy to exist, we must have a system of two or more charges. The potential energy belongs to the system and changes only if a charge is moved relative to the rest of the system: electron volt (ev) Defined as the energy a charge-field system gains or loses when a charge of magnitude e is moved through a potential difference of 1: electric field can also be expressed in volts/meter (1 n/c = 1.
