Obtain the relation between electric field and electric potential.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) As shown in the figure,consider two closely spaced equipotential surfaces $A$ and $B$ with potential values $V$ and $V+\delta V$,where $\delta V$ is the change in $V$ in the direction of the electric field $\vec{E}$.
Let $P$ be a point on the surface $B$. $\delta l$ is the perpendicular distance of the surface $A$ from $P$. Suppose that a unit positive charge is moved along the perpendicular from the surface $B$ to the surface $A$ against the electric field. The work done in this process is $|\vec{E}| \delta l$.
But work done,$W = V_{A} - V_{B}$.
Therefore,$|\vec{E}| \delta l = V - (V + \delta V)$.
$|\vec{E}| \delta l = -\delta V$.
$|\vec{E}| = -\frac{\delta V}{\delta l}$.
Hence,the negative value of the potential gradient is equal to the magnitude of the electric field. $\frac{\delta V}{\delta l}$ is known as the potential gradient. Its unit is $V \cdot m^{-1}$.
From this,there are two important conclusions:
$(1)$ The electric field is in the direction in which the potential decreases most steeply.
$(2)$ The magnitude of the electric field is given by the change in the magnitude of potential per unit displacement normal to the equipotential surface at the point.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ parallel plate capacitor has a potential of $20 \ kV$ and a capacitance of $2 \times 10^{-4} \ \mu F$. If the area of the plate is $0.01 \ m^2$ and the distance between the plates is $2 \ mm$,find the potential gradient.

In space,the electric potential varies as $V = 20|\vec{r}|$ volt,where $\vec{r} = x \hat{i} + y \hat{j} + z \hat{k}$ is the position vector. Then,the electric field in $N C^{-1}$ at the point $(4 \ m, 3 \ m, -5 \ m)$ is:

The potential $\phi(x, y)$ of an electrostatic field $\vec{E} = a(y \hat{i} + x \hat{j})$ is [where $a$ is a constant and $\hat{i}$ and $\hat{j}$ are unit vectors along $X$ and $Y$ axes].

The electric potential at a point $(x, y)$ in the $x-y$ plane is given by $V = -kxy$. The field intensity at a distance $r$ from the origin varies as

The electric field at a distance $x$ from the origin is given by $E = 100/x^2$. The potential difference between the points at $x = 10 \, m$ and $x = 20 \, m$ is ...... $V$.

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo