Electrostatic Potential Energy

Electrostatic Potential Energy

Introduction : We know that any system which is at rest possess some potential energy due to its position with respect to surrounding(Relative position).In case of electrostatic charge, the charges are at rest so the charges possess electrostatic potential energy.Let us understand the term in detail.

We are well familiar with the behavior of a charge that same charges repel each other and opposite charges attract each other. Thus if we are having two same charges, then work has to be done in moving a charge which is in vicinity of other charge.

Consider a positive charge q₁at point A as shown in figure. Consider another test charge q₀ placed at a point B which is at a distance of  r₁ from point A (test charge is a positive charge having very small magnitude).Let the test charged is moved from B to some point P which is at a distance r₂ from point A. As the charge experiences electrostatic force, a work has to be done in moving test charge q₀ from B to P. The work done is in opposition to the electrostatic force which is given by,

W = - F.dr

This work done is the change in potential energy of the system.

ΔU = - F.dr

Let a test charge q₀ is moved from through dr from B to C as shown in figure.Thus the small work done is given by,

dw = - F.dr ----(1)

Total work done in moving the charge from B to P is obtained by integrating equation (1)

_{│<<< Application og gauss law}│  _{│ Concept of potential>>>│} 

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