- #1
Abu
- 39
- 16
Hi everyone.
I've been doing a lot of reading regarding electric potential and electric potential energy. Unfortunately, I have a lot of confusion regarding this topic, as I keep receiving different information. My main confusion is regarding the signs, positive or negative, of work and it's respective potential energy... as well as what is doing the work in the first place.
I have seen some people write the formulas of electric potential energy and work as:
W=-PE = -qΔV
And I've also seen people write it as:
W=PE = qΔV
To clarify my confusion, let's say that we have two positive charges that are fixed across from each other, with another smaller positive charge that is in between them, like this:
And we move the smaller positive charge to the right
If we go by the logic of the first formula, which states:
W=-PE = -qΔV
Then
If we use the second variation of the formula, which states:
W=PE = qΔV
Then
I know this is kind of a lengthy post, but it has been on my mind for a while now. I appreciate all feedback I receive on this. Thank you very much everyone. I can also add more diagrams if my question isn't clear.
I've been doing a lot of reading regarding electric potential and electric potential energy. Unfortunately, I have a lot of confusion regarding this topic, as I keep receiving different information. My main confusion is regarding the signs, positive or negative, of work and it's respective potential energy... as well as what is doing the work in the first place.
I have seen some people write the formulas of electric potential energy and work as:
W=-PE = -qΔV
And I've also seen people write it as:
W=PE = qΔV
To clarify my confusion, let's say that we have two positive charges that are fixed across from each other, with another smaller positive charge that is in between them, like this:
And we move the smaller positive charge to the right
If we go by the logic of the first formula, which states:
W=-PE = -qΔV
Then
- The change in PE will be positive, because it is going from an area of lower potential to one of higher (closer to the large positive charge on the right)
- The value for q will be positive because the small charge is a positive charge
- The work done will be negative, according to the formula
- The PE will also be positive because you will have -PE = -qΔV and the negative signs cancel each other out
If we use the second variation of the formula, which states:
W=PE = qΔV
Then
- The change in PE will be positive
- The value for q is still positive
- The work done will be positive
I know this is kind of a lengthy post, but it has been on my mind for a while now. I appreciate all feedback I receive on this. Thank you very much everyone. I can also add more diagrams if my question isn't clear.
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