# Connexions

You are here: Home » Content » College Physics » Electric Potential in a Uniform Electric Field
Content endorsed by: OpenStax College

• Preface

• #### 34. Frontiers of Physics

• 35. Atomic Masses
• 37. Useful Information
• 38. Glossary of Key Symbols and Notation

### Lenses

What is a lens?

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

#### Endorsed by (What does "Endorsed by" mean?)

This content has been endorsed by the organizations listed. Click each link for a list of all content endorsed by the organization.
• OpenStax College

This collection is included in aLens by: OpenStax College

Click the "OpenStax College" link to see all content they endorse.

#### Affiliated with (What does "Affiliated with" mean?)

This content is either by members of the organizations listed or about topics related to the organizations listed. Click each link to see a list of all content affiliated with the organization.
• Pierpont C & TC

This module is included inLens: Pierpont Community & Technical College's Lens
By: Pierpont Community & Technical CollegeAs a part of collection: "College Physics -- HLCA 1104"

Click the "Pierpont C & TC" link to see all content affiliated with them.

Click the tag icon to display tags associated with this content.

### Recently Viewed

This feature requires Javascript to be enabled.

### Tags

(What is a tag?)

These tags come from the endorsement, affiliation, and other lenses that include this content.

Inside Collection (Textbook):

Textbook by: OpenStax College. E-mail the author

# Electric Potential in a Uniform Electric Field

Module by: OpenStax College. E-mail the author

Summary:

• Describe the relationship between voltage and electric field.
• Derive an expression for the electric potential and electric field.
• Calculate electric field strength given distance and voltage.

In the previous section, we explored the relationship between voltage and energy. In this section, we will explore the relationship between voltage and electric field. For example, a uniform electric field EE size 12{E} {} is produced by placing a potential difference (or voltage) ΔVΔV size 12{V} {} across two parallel metal plates, labeled A and B. (See Figure 1.) Examining this will tell us what voltage is needed to produce a certain electric field strength; it will also reveal a more fundamental relationship between electric potential and electric field. From a physicist’s point of view, either ΔVΔV size 12{V} {} or EE size 12{E} {} can be used to describe any charge distribution. ΔVΔV size 12{V} {} is most closely tied to energy, whereas EE size 12{E} {} is most closely related to force. ΔVΔV size 12{V} {} is a scalar quantity and has no direction, while EE size 12{E} {} is a vector quantity, having both magnitude and direction. (Note that the magnitude of the electric field strength, a scalar quantity, is represented by EE size 12{V} {} below.) The relationship between ΔVΔV size 12{V} {} and EE size 12{E} {} is revealed by calculating the work done by the force in moving a charge from point A to point B. But, as noted in Electric Potential Energy: Potential Difference, this is complex for arbitrary charge distributions, requiring calculus. We therefore look at a uniform electric field as an interesting special case.

The work done by the electric field in Figure 1 to move a positive charge q q size 12{q} {} from A, the positive plate, higher potential, to B, the negative plate, lower potential, is

W=–ΔPE=qΔV.W=–ΔPE=qΔV. size 12{W= - Δ"PE"= - qΔV} {}
(1)

The potential difference between points A and B is

–Δ V = ( V B V A ) = V A V B = V AB . –Δ V = ( V B V A ) = V A V B = V AB .
(2)

Entering this into the expression for work yields

W = qV AB . W = qV AB . size 12{W= ital "qV" rSub { size 8{ ital "AB"} } } {}
(3)

Work is W=FdcosθW=Fdcosθ size 12{W= ital "Fd""cos"?} {}; here cosθ=1cosθ=1, since the path is parallel to the field, and so W=FdW=Fd. Since F=qEF=qE, we see that W=qEdW=qEd. Substituting this expression for work into the previous equation gives

qEd=qVAB.qEd=qVAB. size 12{qEd= ital "qV" rSub { size 8{ ital "AB"} } } {}
(4)

The charge cancels, and so the voltage between points A and B is seen to be

V AB = Ed E = V AB d (uniform E - field only), V AB = Ed E = V AB d (uniform E - field only),
(5)

where dd size 12{d} {} is the distance from A to B, or the distance between the plates in Figure 1. Note that the above equation implies the units for electric field are volts per meter. We already know the units for electric field are newtons per coulomb; thus the following relation among units is valid:

1 N/C=1 V/m.1 N/C=1 V/m. size 12{"1 N"/C="1 V"/m} {}
(6)

## Voltage between Points A and B:

V AB = Ed E = V AB d (uniform E - field only), V AB = Ed E = V AB d (uniform E - field only),
(7)

where dd size 12{d} {} is the distance from A to B, or the distance between the plates.

## Example 1: What Is the Highest Voltage Possible between Two Plates?

Dry air will support a maximum electric field strength of about 3.0×106 V/m3.0×106 V/m size 12{3×"10" rSup { size 8{6} } " V/m"} {}. Above that value, the field creates enough ionization in the air to make the air a conductor. This allows a discharge or spark that reduces the field. What, then, is the maximum voltage between two parallel conducting plates separated by 2.5 cm of dry air?

Strategy

We are given the maximum electric field EE size 12{E} {} between the plates and the distance d d between them. The equation VAB=EdVAB=Ed size 12{V rSub { size 8{"AB"} } =Ed} {} can thus be used to calculate the maximum voltage.

Solution

The potential difference or voltage between the plates is

VAB=Ed.VAB=Ed. size 12{V rSub { size 8{"AB"} } =Ed} {}
(8)

Entering the given values for EE size 12{E} {} and dd size 12{d} {} gives

V AB = ( 3.0 × 10 6 V/m ) ( 0.025 m ) = 7.5 × 10 4 V V AB = ( 3.0 × 10 6 V/m ) ( 0.025 m ) = 7.5 × 10 4 V
(9)

or

VAB=75 kV.VAB=75 kV. size 12{V rSub { size 8{"AB"} } ="75" "kV"} {}
(10)

(The answer is quoted to only two digits, since the maximum field strength is approximate.)

Discussion

One of the implications of this result is that it takes about 75 kV to make a spark jump across a 2.5 cm (1 in.) gap, or 150 kV for a 5 cm spark. This limits the voltages that can exist between conductors, perhaps on a power transmission line. A smaller voltage will cause a spark if there are points on the surface, since points create greater fields than smooth surfaces. Humid air breaks down at a lower field strength, meaning that a smaller voltage will make a spark jump through humid air. The largest voltages can be built up, say with static electricity, on dry days.

## Example 2: Field and Force inside an Electron Gun

(a) An electron gun has parallel plates separated by 4.00 cm and gives electrons 25.0 keV of energy. What is the electric field strength between the plates? (b) What force would this field exert on a piece of plastic with a 0.500 μC 0.500 μC charge that gets between the plates?

Strategy

Since the voltage and plate separation are given, the electric field strength can be calculated directly from the expression E=VABdE=VABd size 12{E= { {V rSub { size 8{"AB"} } } over {d} } } {}. Once the electric field strength is known, the force on a charge is found using F=qEF=qE. Since the electric field is in only one direction, we can write this equation in terms of the magnitudes, F=qEF=qE size 12{F=qE} {}.

Solution for (a)

The expression for the magnitude of the electric field between two uniform metal plates is

E=VABd.E=VABd. size 12{E= { {V rSub { size 8{"AB"} } } over {d} } } {}
(11)

Since the electron is a single charge and is given 25.0 keV of energy, the potential difference must be 25.0 kV. Entering this value for VABVAB size 12{V rSub { size 8{"AB"} } } {} and the plate separation of 0.0400 m, we obtain

E=25.0 kV0.0400 m=6.25×105 V/m.E=25.0 kV0.0400 m=6.25×105 V/m. size 12{E= { {"25" "." "0 kV"} over {0 "." "0400 m"} } =6 "." "25"´"10" rSup { size 8{5} } " V"/m} {}
(12)

Solution for (b)

The magnitude of the force on a charge in an electric field is obtained from the equation

F=qE.F=qE. size 12{F=qE} {}
(13)

Substituting known values gives

F=(0.500×10–6 C)(6.25×105 V/m)=0.313 N.F=(0.500×10–6 C)(6.25×105 V/m)=0.313 N. size 12{F= $$0 "." "500"´"10" rSup { size 8{-6} } " C"$$ $$6 "." "25"´"10" rSup { size 8{5} } " V"/m$$ =0 "." "310"" N"} {}
(14)

Discussion

Note that the units are newtons, since 1 V/m=1 N/C1 V/m=1 N/C size 12{1" V/m"=1" N/C"} {}. The force on the charge is the same no matter where the charge is located between the plates. This is because the electric field is uniform between the plates.

In more general situations, regardless of whether the electric field is uniform, it points in the direction of decreasing potential, because the force on a positive charge is in the direction of EE and also in the direction of lower potential VV. Furthermore, the magnitude of EE equals the rate of decrease of VV size 12{V} {} with distance. The faster VV size 12{V} {} decreases over distance, the greater the electric field. In equation form, the general relationship between voltage and electric field is

E=ΔVΔs,E=ΔVΔs, size 12{E= - { {ΔV} over {Δs} } } {}
(15)

where ΔsΔs size 12{?s} {} is the distance over which the change in potential, ΔVΔV size 12{ΔV} {}, takes place. The minus sign tells us that EE size 12{E} {} points in the direction of decreasing potential. The electric field is said to be the gradient (as in grade or slope) of the electric potential.

## Relationship between Voltage and Electric Field:

In equation form, the general relationship between voltage and electric field is

E=ΔVΔs,E=ΔVΔs, size 12{E= - { {ΔV} over {Δs} } } {}
(16)

where ΔsΔs size 12{?s} {} is the distance over which the change in potential, ΔVΔV size 12{?V} {}, takes place. The minus sign tells us that EE points in the direction of decreasing potential. The electric field is said to be the gradient (as in grade or slope) of the electric potential.

For continually changing potentials, ΔVΔV size 12{ΔV} {} and ΔsΔs size 12{Δs} {} become infinitesimals and differential calculus must be employed to determine the electric field.

## Section Summary

• The voltage between points A and B is
V AB = Ed E = V AB d (uniform E - field only), V AB = Ed E = V AB d (uniform E - field only),
(17)
where dd size 12{d} {} is the distance from A to B, or the distance between the plates.
• In equation form, the general relationship between voltage and electric field is
E=ΔVΔs,E=ΔVΔs, size 12{E= - { {ΔV} over {Δs} } } {}
(18)
where ΔsΔs size 12{Δs} {} is the distance over which the change in potential, ΔVΔV size 12{ΔV} {}, takes place. The minus sign tells us that EE size 12{E} {} points in the direction of decreasing potential.) The electric field is said to be the gradient (as in grade or slope) of the electric potential.

## Conceptual Questions

### Exercise 1

Discuss how potential difference and electric field strength are related. Give an example.

### Exercise 2

What is the strength of the electric field in a region where the electric potential is constant?

### Exercise 3

Will a negative charge, initially at rest, move toward higher or lower potential? Explain why.

## Problems & Exercises

### Exercise 1

Show that units of V/m and N/C for electric field strength are indeed equivalent.

### Exercise 2

What is the strength of the electric field between two parallel conducting plates separated by 1.00 cm and having a potential difference (voltage) between them of 1.50×104V1.50×104V size 12{1 "." "50" times "10" rSup { size 8{4} } V} {}?

### Exercise 3

The electric field strength between two parallel conducting plates separated by 4.00 cm is 7.50×104 V/m7.50×104 V/m size 12{7 "." "50"´"10" rSup { size 8{4} } " V/m"} {}. (a) What is the potential difference between the plates? (b) The plate with the lowest potential is taken to be at zero volts. What is the potential 1.00 cm from that plate (and 3.00 cm from the other)?

#### Solution

(a) 3.00 kV3.00 kV size 12{3 "." "00"" kV"} {}

(b) 750 V750 V size 12{"750"" V"} {}

### Exercise 4

How far apart are two conducting plates that have an electric field strength of 4.50×103V/m4.50×103V/m size 12{4 "." "50" times "10" rSup { size 8{3} } "V/m"} {} between them, if their potential difference is 15.0 kV?

### Exercise 5

(a) Will the electric field strength between two parallel conducting plates exceed the breakdown strength for air (3.0×106V/m3.0×106V/m size 12{3 times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } "V/m"} {}) if the plates are separated by 2.00 mm and a potential difference of 5.0×103V5.0×103V size 12{5 times "10" rSup { size 8{3} } "V"} {} is applied? (b) How close together can the plates be with this applied voltage?

#### Solution

(a) No. The electric field strength between the plates is 2.5×106V/m, 2.5×106V/m, size 12{2.5 times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } "V/m"} {} which is lower than the breakdown strength for air (3.0×106V/m3.0×106V/m size 12{3 times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } "V/m"} {}).

(b) 1.7 mm

### Exercise 6

The voltage across a membrane forming a cell wall is 80.0 mV and the membrane is 9.00 nm thick. What is the electric field strength? (The value is surprisingly large, but correct. Membranes are discussed in Capacitors and Dielectrics and Nerve Conduction—Electrocardiograms.) You may assume a uniform electric field.

### Exercise 7

Membrane walls of living cells have surprisingly large electric fields across them due to separation of ions. (Membranes are discussed in some detail in Nerve Conduction—Electrocardiograms.) What is the voltage across an 8.00 nm–thick membrane if the electric field strength across it is 5.50 MV/m? You may assume a uniform electric field.

44.0 mV

### Exercise 8

Two parallel conducting plates are separated by 10.0 cm, and one of them is taken to be at zero volts. (a) What is the electric field strength between them, if the potential 8.00 cm from the zero volt plate (and 2.00 cm from the other) is 450 V? (b) What is the voltage between the plates?

### Exercise 9

Find the maximum potential difference between two parallel conducting plates separated by 0.500 cm of air, given the maximum sustainable electric field strength in air to be 3.0×106V/m3.0×106V/m size 12{3 times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } "V/m"} {}.

#### Solution

15 kV 15 kV size 12{"15 kV"} {}

### Exercise 10

A doubly charged ion is accelerated to an energy of 32.0 keV by the electric field between two parallel conducting plates separated by 2.00 cm. What is the electric field strength between the plates?

### Exercise 11

An electron is to be accelerated in a uniform electric field having a strength of 2.00×106V/m2.00×106V/m size 12{2 "." "00" times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } `"V/m"} {}. (a) What energy in keV is given to the electron if it is accelerated through 0.400 m? (b) Over what distance would it have to be accelerated to increase its energy by 50.0 GeV?

#### Solution

(a) 800 KeV800 KeV size 12{"800"" KeV"} {}

(b) 25.0 km25.0 km size 12{"25" "." 0" km"} {}

## Glossary

scalar:
physical quantity with magnitude but no direction
vector:
physical quantity with both magnitude and direction

## Content actions

PDF | EPUB (?)

### What is an EPUB file?

EPUB is an electronic book format that can be read on a variety of mobile devices.

#### Collection to:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks

#### Module to:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks