![]() ![]() ![]() The change in potential energy, ΔPE is crucial, since the work done by a conservative force is the negative of the change in potential energy that is, Work = – ΔPE For example, work, symbol W, done to accelerate a positive charge from rest is positive and results from a loss in PE, or a negative ΔPE . We use the letters PE to denote electric potential energy, which has units of joules (J). When a force is conservative, it is possible to define a potential energy associated with the force, and it is usually easier to deal with the potential energy (because it depends only on position) than to calculate the work directly. This is exactly analogous to the gravitational force in the absence of dissipative forces such as friction. The electrostatic or Coulomb force is conservative, which means that the work done on q is independent of the path taken. Work is done by a force, but since this force is conservative, we can write W = –ΔPE. In both cases potential energy is converted to another form. A charge accelerated by an electric field is analogous to a mass going down a hill. Let us explore the work done on a charge q by the electric field in this process, so that we may develop a definition of electric potential energy. It is as if the charge is going down an electrical hill where its electric potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. The process is analogous to an object being accelerated by a gravitational field. When a free positive charge q is accelerated by an electric field, such as shown in Figure 1, it is given kinetic energy. Determine electric potential energy given potential difference and amount of charge.Explain electron volt and its usage in submicroscopic process.Describe the relationship between potential difference and electrical potential energy.Define electric potential and electric potential energy. ![]()
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