Potential Energy in an External Field
Coulomb force is a conservative force between two (stationary) charges. Both have an inverse-square relationship on distance and differ only in the proportionality constants. The masses in the expression of gravitational law are replaced by charges in Coulomb’s law expression. Thus, like the potential energy of a mass in a gravitational field, the electrostatic potential energy of a charge in an electrostatic field is defined.
Potential Energy in an External Field
When an external force operates to conduct work, such as moving a body from one location to another against a force like spring force or gravitational force, the work is gathered and stored as potential energy in the body. When an external force is removed, the body moves, acquiring kinetic energy and losing potential energy in equal amounts. As a result, the total kinetic and potential energy are conserved. Conservative forces are those who belong to this group. Spring force and gravitational force are two examples of these forces.
Table of Content
- What is Potential Energy?
- Potential Energy in an External Field
- Potential Energy of a Single Charge
- Electric Potential Due to a Point Charge
- Potential Energy of a System of Two Charges in an External Field
- Potential Energy of a Dipole in an External Field
- Electrostatic Potential
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