4 min read•january 6, 2023
Krish Gupta
Daniella Garcia-Loos
Krish Gupta
Daniella Garcia-Loos
Isolines, also known as contour lines, are lines that connect points of equal value in a scalar field. In the context of electric fields, isolines are used to represent points of equal electric potential.
Here are some key points about isolines as related to electric fields:
Electric potential and voltage are related concepts that describe the potential energy of a charged particle in an electric field.
Here are some key points about electric potential and voltage:
The equation for electric potential is derived based on the equation from electrical energy which we will learn about next! For now just take our word.
The left-hand side of this equation shows the work (or amount of energy) per unit of charge. This "work per charge" quantity is called electric potential or voltage (V).
Let's say you had a positive charge and wanted to map the potential difference around it. The electric field lines move AWAY from the charge. Since V=kQ/r, we can find equal voltages at equal radii from the charge. The equipotential lines would, therefore, look like concentric circles around the charge. Notice how each field line (blue arrows) intersects at 90 degrees with the equipotential lines
Since the electric field strength decreases as the radius increases, the voltage must also be decreasing as we travel further away from the charge.
Equipotential lines are lines in an electric field that represent points of equal electric potential.
Here are some key points about equipotential lines:
In rare cases you could be asked to draw an arrow representing the electric field on a map of electric potentials. In that case draw an arrow perpendicular to the curve pointing from high potential to low potential.
a) Describe the direction of the electric field at point A
b) At which point is the electric field have the greatest magnitude?
c) How much net work must be done by an external force to move a -1mu C point charge from rest at point C to rest at point E? (Can be answered after learning the next objective)
Electric Field Strength
: Electric field strength refers to the force experienced by a unit positive charge placed in an electric field. It quantifies how strong or weak an electric field is at any given point.Electric potential energy
: Electric potential energy is the stored energy that results from the position or configuration of charged particles within an electric field.Volts
: Volts are units used to measure electric potential difference or voltage. One volt represents one joule of energy per coulomb of charge.4 min read•january 6, 2023
Krish Gupta
Daniella Garcia-Loos
Krish Gupta
Daniella Garcia-Loos
Isolines, also known as contour lines, are lines that connect points of equal value in a scalar field. In the context of electric fields, isolines are used to represent points of equal electric potential.
Here are some key points about isolines as related to electric fields:
Electric potential and voltage are related concepts that describe the potential energy of a charged particle in an electric field.
Here are some key points about electric potential and voltage:
The equation for electric potential is derived based on the equation from electrical energy which we will learn about next! For now just take our word.
The left-hand side of this equation shows the work (or amount of energy) per unit of charge. This "work per charge" quantity is called electric potential or voltage (V).
Let's say you had a positive charge and wanted to map the potential difference around it. The electric field lines move AWAY from the charge. Since V=kQ/r, we can find equal voltages at equal radii from the charge. The equipotential lines would, therefore, look like concentric circles around the charge. Notice how each field line (blue arrows) intersects at 90 degrees with the equipotential lines
Since the electric field strength decreases as the radius increases, the voltage must also be decreasing as we travel further away from the charge.
Equipotential lines are lines in an electric field that represent points of equal electric potential.
Here are some key points about equipotential lines:
In rare cases you could be asked to draw an arrow representing the electric field on a map of electric potentials. In that case draw an arrow perpendicular to the curve pointing from high potential to low potential.
a) Describe the direction of the electric field at point A
b) At which point is the electric field have the greatest magnitude?
c) How much net work must be done by an external force to move a -1mu C point charge from rest at point C to rest at point E? (Can be answered after learning the next objective)
Electric Field Strength
: Electric field strength refers to the force experienced by a unit positive charge placed in an electric field. It quantifies how strong or weak an electric field is at any given point.Electric potential energy
: Electric potential energy is the stored energy that results from the position or configuration of charged particles within an electric field.Volts
: Volts are units used to measure electric potential difference or voltage. One volt represents one joule of energy per coulomb of charge.© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
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