Practice Electric Potential in Physics
Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.
Quick Recap
The electric potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field. Measured in volts (V).
Electric potential is like altitude on a hill — charges 'roll downhill' from high potential to low potential, just as balls roll from high ground to low ground.
Example 1
mediumWhat is the electric potential 0.3 \text{ m} from a point charge of 6 \times 10^{-6} \text{ C}? Use k = 9 \times 10^9 \text{ N m}^2/\text{C}^2.
Example 2
hardHow much work is needed to move a 3 \times 10^{-6} \text{ C} charge from a point at 200 \text{ V} to a point at 500 \text{ V}?
Example 3
mediumAn electron (q = -1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}) is accelerated through a potential difference of 1000 \text{ V}. What kinetic energy does it gain?
Example 4
hardA uniform electric field of E = 500 \text{ N/C} exists between two parallel plates separated by d = 0.02 \text{ m}. (a) What is the potential difference between the plates? (b) How much work is done moving a proton (q = 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}) from the negative to the positive plate?