180 likes | 288 Views
Chapter 19. Electric Potential Energy and the Electric Potential. 1) Electric Potential Energy. 2) Electric Potential. q 1. q 2. q 2. 3) Point Charges. If V = 0 at r = ∞, then. V. r. q. Superposition : potentials add as scalars. 4) Equipotential surfaces. Definition
E N D
Chapter 19 Electric Potential Energy and the Electric Potential
q1 q2 q2 3) Point Charges If V = 0 at r = ∞, then V r q Superposition: potentials add as scalars
4) Equipotential surfaces • Definition Surface with constant potential e.g. For a point charge, equipotential surfaces are spheres
e.g. parallel plates E is uniform, and W = qEs, so equipotential surfaces are planes
c) Electric field direction and equipotential surfaces If W = 0, and E ≠ 0, then E is perpendicular to equipotential surfaces
Electric field lines Equipotential lines
d) Electric field as a potential gradient units: V/m = J/(Cm) = N/C
In general, Electric field points in the direction of maximum change of the potential
Resting state (selective permeability) 5) Biomedical examples a) Conduction of electrical signals in neurons V=-70mV
Stimulated cell Signal travels at ~ 50 m/s
b) Medical diagnostics - body is not an equipotential surface - Flow of Na+, K+, Cl- ions; potential differences ~ 30 - 500 µV - depend on stimuli and can form regular patterns