1.

What is the potential energy of a point charge in an external electric field?

Answer»

Consider a charge q placed in an external electric field at a point whose position vector with respect to an arbitrary reference frame is \(\vec r\). If V (\(\vec r\)) is the potential of the point, with respect to an arbitrary reference zero at infinity, then the potential energy of the charge q at the point is

U (\(\vec r\)) = qV(\(\vec r\))

where it is assumed that q is sufficiently small and does not significantly distort the electric field and the potential at the point.



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