PL106-03-27

PYL 106: March 28

Equipotential Surfaces and Electric Field Lines

If a particle having a charge q is placed at the origin, then the electric potential at a point r=(x,y,z) is given by

V = k q / r ,

where k=8.99 X 10⁹Nm²/C² and where

r = (x² + y² + z²)^1/2

is the distance between the origin and the point (x,y,z). The electric potential is related to the potential energy. If a second particle with charge q₀ (a so-called test charge) is placed at r, then the potential energy of the test charge is

U = q₀ V

Part 1: Plotting the Electric Potential

Follow these instructions for plotting the electric potential due to a single charge.