Electric Potential & Equipotentials
Explore electric potential (voltage) as the electric potential energy per unit charge, measured in volts. Calculate potential from point charges using V = kQ/r and understand that equipotential lines connect points of equal potential, always perpendicular to electric field lines. Visualize how positive charges move from high to low potential (downhill), work is done moving charges against the field, and the relationship ΔV = -∫E·ds connects potential difference to electric field.
Electric Field of Point Charges
Visualize electric fields created by point charges using field lines radiating outward from positive charges and inward toward negative charges. Calculate electric field strength using E = kQ/r² and apply the superposition principle to find net fields from multiple charges. Understand that field line density indicates field strength, lines never cross, and the electric field direction shows the force a positive test charge would experience at each point in space.