Physics: An Introduction Chapter 20 -- Reference Tools and Resources

Chapter 20: Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy
Reference Tools and Resources

Reference Tools & Resources

I. Key Terms and Phrases

electric potential energy: the potential energy associated with the electric force.

electric potential: the electric potential energy per unit charge.

volt: the SI unit of electric potential.

electron-volt: a unit of energy equal to 1.60 x 10^-19 J.

equipotential surface: a surface on which every point has the same value of electric potential.

capacitor: an electrical device, used to store charge and energy, that consists of two conductors separated by a finite distance.

capacitance: a measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge.

dielectric: an insulating material often used between the plates of a capacitor.

energy density: energy per unit volume.

II. Important Equations

Name/Topic Equation Explanation
electric potential energy DU = -W_E The definition of electric potential energy.

electric potential difference The definition of electric potential

electric potential The electric potential of a point charge q assuming that V = 0 at r = .

capacitors The definition of capacitance.

The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor with a dielectric.

The energy stored in a capacitor.

Name/Topic	Equation	Explanation
electric potential energy	DU = -W_E	The definition of electric potential energy.
electric potential difference		The definition of electric potential
electric potential		The electric potential of a point charge q assuming that V = 0 at r = .
capacitors		The definition of capacitance.
		The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor with a dielectric.
		The energy stored in a capacitor.

III. Know Your Units

Quantity Dimension SI Unit
electric potential (V) [M][L²][T^-2][C^-1] V

capacitance (C) [C²][T²][M^-1][L^-2] F

Quantity	Dimension	SI Unit
electric potential (V)	[M][L²][T^-2][C^-1]	V
capacitance (C)	[C²][T²][M^-1][L^-2]	F