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General Physics 2
8 Quarter 3 – Module 2
Week 2
MELCs: GP12EM - IIIb -15, GP12EM - IIIb -17,
GP12EM - IIIc -18, GP12EM - IIIc -20,
GP12EM - IIIc -22

Electric Potential
12 – STEM
1
PART 1
A. Introduction:
The concept of energy in General Physics 1 was useful in
studying mechanics. The motion of the objects can be predicted
by utilizing the law of conservation of energy. For instance, when
you lift a book you are changing the gravitational potential
energy. Lifting the object against the gravitational influence
would mean doing work on the ball.
The concept of potential energy can also be associated with
electrostatic behavior. This has been widely used in practical
applications such as televisions, particle accelerators, circuits and
particle accelerators.
In this module, you will relate the electric potential with
work, potential energy, and electric field, determine the electric
potential function at any point due to highly symmetric continuous
- charge distributions, infer the direction and strength of electric
field vector, nature of the electric field sources, and electrostatic
potential surfaces given the equipotential lines, calculate the
electric field in the region given a mathematical function describing
its potential in a region of space and Solve problems involving
electric potential energy and electric potentials in contexts such as,
but not limited to, electron guns in CRT TV picture tubes and Van
de Graaff generators.
B. Pre-Test:
Directions: Read the following questions carefully. Write the
chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following are valid units for electric field?
I. N/C II. J/Cm III.V/m
a. I and II only c. I and III only
b. II and III only d. I, II and III
2. How much work is needed to decrease the distance between a
+15 µC charge and a -20 µC charge from 1 m to 0.25 m?
a.-8.1 J b.8.1 J c.2.7 J d.-2.7 J

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3. What is the change in potential energy when a +3.5 C point
charge was moved from a negative plate to a positive plate
with a potential difference of 8V?
a. 28 J b. 0.4375 J c. 2.29 J d. 0 J
4. What is the magnitude of the electric field between parallel
plates with 25 V of potential difference and placed 25 cm
apart?
a. 1 N/m b. 1 V/C c. 1 N/C d. 1Nm/C
5. What is the electric potential at point A when q1
= -20 µC and q2 = +20 µC?
A
10 cm 5 cm

a.8.0 µC b.1.9 µC c.5.5 µC d.2.4 µC

C. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION

MELC1:. Relate the electric potential with work, potential energy,
and electric field (STEM _GP12EM - IIIb -15)
Electric Potential Energy

We can consider the potential energy of any charge using

the gravitational analogy. Suppose you have a uniform electric
field at the left with oppositely charged plates and Earth's
surface where gravitational field is also uniform.

E ag

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This time, we place a test charge q in the electric field and
a body with mass m in the gravitational field. Thus, the charge
is now acted upon by an electric force and gravitational force.

E Fe Fg
ag

𝐹𝑒 = 𝑞𝐸 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎𝑔
where q is the charge and where m is the mass and
E is the electric field ag is the acceleration due to gravity
If we want to move the test charge to plate B, a force must
be applied to push against the force of the electric field. When a
force F is acted on a particle from points a to b, the work 𝑊𝑎→𝑏
done is given by a line integral.

𝑏 𝑏
𝑊𝑎→𝑏 = ∫ 𝐹𝑑𝑙 = ∫ 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙 𝑑𝑙
𝑎 𝑎
where dl is the infinitesimal displacement along the path and 𝜙
is the angle between the force and displacement along the path.
If the force applied is conservative, the work done can be
expressed as potential energy U. Thus,
𝑊𝑎→𝑏 = 𝑈𝑎 − 𝑈𝑏 = −(𝑈𝑏 − 𝑈𝑎) = −∆𝑈
If 𝑊𝑎→𝑏 is positive, 𝑈𝑎 is greater than 𝑈𝑏 , ∆𝑈 is negative,
potential energy decreases. For instance, when mass m falls
towards the Earth's surface, gravity does positive work, but the
gravitational potential energy decreases. If the mass was tossed
upward, the gravity does negative work and potential energy
increases.
Whether the test charge in the electric field is positive or
negative, the potential energy increases if the test charge moves
opposite to the direction of the electric force. Potential energy

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decreases if the charge moves in the same direction as the
electric force. Similarly, the gravitational potential energy
increases if the body moves upward or against the direction of
gravitational force and decreases if it moves downward or in
same direction with gravitational force.

MELC 2: Determine the electric potential function at any point

due to highly symmetric continuous - charge distributions.
(STEM_ GP12EM - IIIc -17)
Electric Potential Energy of Two Point Charges
The electric potential energy between two point charges is
given as:
1 𝑞𝑞0
𝑈=
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟

where r is the distance of separation, 𝑞𝑞0 are the values of 2

charges.
The electric potential energy is expressed as Nm or Joules (J).
For electric potential energy with several test charges, this is
expressed as:
𝑞0 𝑞 𝑞2 𝑞 𝑞0 𝑞𝑖
U= ( 𝑟1 + + 𝑟3 + ⋯ . )= ∑𝑖
4𝜋𝜖0 1 𝑟2 3 4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟𝑖

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Example 1:
A point charge q1 = +2.80 µC is at origin. How far should the
second point charge of +5.20 µC be placed to have electric
potential energy of 0.600 J?

Example 2:
A charge of 4.50 x 10-8 C is placed in a uniform electric field that
is directed vertically upward with a magnitude of 5.00 x 104 N/C.
What work is done by the electrical force when the charge moves
0.450 m to the right? 0.800 m downward? 2.60 m at an angle of
45 degrees from the horizontal?

A What is/are given? Q = +4.50 x 10-8 C

E = 5.00 x 104 N/C r = 0.450 m,
r = 0.800 m and r = 2.60 m, 45°
B What is asked? W=?
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C Are the units Yes
consistent with
the formula?
D How will you draw (c )

the problem?
(b ) E= 5.00 x 10 4 N/C

(a )

E What strategy We can use W = Fd cosƟ, where F = qE.

must be
employed?
F Solution
𝑁
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑 = 𝑞𝐸𝑑 = (4.50 x 10-8C) (5.00 x 104 𝐶 ) (0.45m)c0s90= 0J

𝑁
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑 = 𝑞𝐸𝑑 = (4.50 x 10-8C) (5.00 x 104 𝐶 ) (0.800m) c0s 0
= -1.8 x 10-3 J
since the movement of the charge is opposite the direction of
electric field
𝑁
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑 = 𝑞𝐸𝑑 = (4.50 x 10-8C) (5.00 x 104 𝐶 ) (2.60 m) cos 45
= 4.137 𝑥 10-3 J
G What is the Therefore, the work done when the charge
conclusion? is move to the right is 0 J. When it moved
downwards, it has done -1.8 x 10-3 J.
Finally, when it is moved 2.60 m at an angle
of 45 degrees, it has done work at
4.137 𝑥 10-3 J

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MELC 3: Infer the direction and strength of electric field vector,
nature of the electric field sources, and electrostatic potential
surfaces given the equipotential lines. (STEM_ GP12EM - IIIc -18)
Electric Potential from an Electric Field

Determining electric potential from electric field is given by:

𝑏 𝑏
𝑉𝑎 ∫𝑎 𝐸𝑑𝑙 = ∫𝑎 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑠∅𝑑𝑙 = -𝐸 𝑑𝑙

𝑉
Hence, 𝐸= 𝑑

where electric field can be expressed as Volt/meter or

Newton/Coulomb.
If you move in the direction of electric potential, the electric
potential V decreases. It increases when you move in the direction
opposite to the electric field.

V increases V de creases V dec reases V in creases

Electron Volts

If charge q is the magnitude of the electron charge and the

potential difference is 1V, the change in energy in moving the
charge from points a to point is
1.602 𝑥 10−19𝐽. This quantity of energy is defined to be 1 electron
volt (eV)
1 eV = 1.602 𝑥 10−19𝐽

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Equipotential Surfaces
Topographic maps are represented by contour lines drawn
through points with similar elevation. These contour lines
represent the curves of constant gravitational potential energy.
When they are very close to each other, the terrain is steep, and
large elevation changes occur. If these are far apart, the terrain
is gently sloping.
In analogy, an equipotential surface is a three-dimensional
surface where electric potential V is the same. If a test charge is
moved from one point to another point on a given surface, the
electric potential remains the same.

Figure 1. Equipotential surfaces of a single positive charge,

electric dipole and two equal positive charges
The equipotential surfaces are always perpendicular to the
electric field lines. There is no work when a charge is moved
from point to point b within the same equipotential surface.
When charges are at rest, the conductor's surface is an
equipotential surface. Electric fields are always directed
perpendicular to the surface. This also holds true for charges at
rest in an entire solid volume of a conductor.

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MELC 4: Calculate the electric field in the region given a
mathematical function describing its potential in a region of space
(STEM_ GP12EM - IIIc -20)
Work must be done to move a charge in an electric field created
by point charges or a continuously distributed charge. Recall that
gravitational force and electrostatic forces are both conservative
forces. For a conservative force, there is an associated potential
energy U. The associated potential energy for gravitational force is
the gravitational potential energy. Thus, an electric potential energy
that is analogous to the gravitational potential energy exists.
Electric potential or electrostatic potential or simply potential
at any point in an electric field E is electric potential energy per unit
charge. Electric potential is designated as V.
𝑈
𝑉=
𝑞0
Electric potential is a scalar quantity. Its SI unit is the volt
named after Alessandro Volta who devised one of the first electric
cells. Note that 1V is equal to 1 joule/coulomb (J/C).
Potential is also defined as the work done to move a unit charge
from infinity to an arbitrary point B. On the other hand, if point A
is neither the ground nor infinity, then work done by the electric
force in moving a unit positive test charge from point A and B,
designated as 𝑉𝐴𝐵 is determined by subtracting the potential at point
A from potential at point B.
𝑊𝐴→𝐵 ∆𝑈 𝑈𝐵 𝑈𝐴
𝑉𝐴𝐵 = =− = − ( − ) = −(𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 ) = 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵
𝑞0 𝑞0 𝑞0 𝑞0

Where 𝑉𝐴 and 𝑉𝐵 are electric potentials at points A and B

respectively. Note that the work done is not dependent on the path
taken getting from point A to point B.

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The difference 𝑉𝑎 − 𝑉𝑏 is known as the potential difference. It is
the difference between the potential at point a and point b. This
will be analyzed more in electric circuits.

To find the 1.The potential at any

electric potential 1 𝑞 point is negative if q is
𝑉=
V of a single point 4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 negative.
charge, we can 2.The potential at any
express this as point is positive if q is
positive.
3.The potential is zero at
𝑟=∞
To find the electric It is the scalar sum of the
potential V of a 1 𝑞𝑖 fields produced by each
𝑉 = ∑
several point 4𝜋𝜖0 𝑖 𝑟𝑖 charge
charges, we can
express this as
In case there is a 𝑑𝑞 = 𝜆𝑑𝑙 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
continuous 1 𝑑𝑞 𝑑𝑞 = 𝜎𝑑𝐴 (𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 )
distribution of 𝑉 =4𝜋𝜖 ∫ 𝑟 𝑑𝑞 = 𝜌𝑑𝑉 (𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 )
0
charges along a
line, over a
surface or
through the
volume, the
charge is divided
into elements and
the sum becomes
an integral

Sample Problem : A charge of 6x10−7 𝐶 is transferred from infinity

to point B. If the work done by the electric force to do this is
1.2𝑥10−5 𝐽, what is the potential at point B?

Given: 𝑞0 = 6𝑥10−7 𝐶 𝑊∞→𝐵 = 1.2𝑥10−5 𝐽

𝑊∞→𝐵
Solution: = 𝑉∞ − 𝑉𝐵
𝑞0
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1.2𝑥10−5𝐽
= 𝑉∞ − 𝑉𝐵
6𝑥10−7𝐶

𝑉𝐵 = −𝟐𝟎𝑽
PART II. ACTIVITIES
A. Membrane Potentials
Direction: Study the structure of the cell membrane and the
information provided about it. Then answer the activity
questions that follow.

Living cells maintain a

potential difference across their
membrane. The potential difference
is caused by disparities in terms of
concentration and permeability of
ions across the membrane. A
membrane has an electrical charge
due to the unequal concentrations
of ions. The membrane potential is
responsible for sending messages to
the central nervous system.
The cell membrane's lipid
bilayer structure is important since
its lipid-phosphorus head and fatty
acid tail create a hydrophobic and
hydrophilic character of the https://www.google.com/search?q=membrane+potential+infographic&tbm=isch&ved=2
ahUKEwjgu4bP3IHvAhUSS5QKHdLxCsQQ2 -
cCegQIABAA&oq=membrane+potential+infographic&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECAAQE1CT

membrane. This houses the sodium iBNY7pUTYO2gE2gAcAB4AYABqgaIAZwmkgELMi 0 yLjMuMy4yLjGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3

Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=U9s1YKDGCZKW0QTS46ugDA&bih=479&biw=88

and potassium ions pump, ATPase

8 #imgrc=JQtg2RDMIMd02M

pump, ion transporters, and voltagegated channels. It is also

responsible for the regulation of ions getting in and out, which
helps in determining the concentration of specific ions. From the
text, answer the following questions:
Activity Questions:
1. How would you define membrane potential?
2.What are the factors that could affect the ion movement?

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3.If the membrane allows only positive charges to get through it,
what happens to the concentration of both sides of the
membrane?
4.From what you have learned in Biology, why is membrane
potential essential among plants and animals?.

B. Problem Solving
Directions: Solve the following problems. Write your complete
solution on a separate sheet of paper.
An electric dipole consists of point charges, q1 = +12 nC and q2 =
-12 nC placed 10.0 cm apart. Compute the electric potentials at
points a, b and c.
Hint: use the electric potentials for several point charges

13 cm 13 cm

b a

4 cm 6 cm 4 cm

PART III. SUMMATIVE EVALUATION

A. Multiple Choice
Directions: Read and answer the following problems carefully.
Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate
sheet of paper.
For Nos. 1-2, refer to this problem: Four positive charges of equal
magnitude were placed in each corner of a square.
1. What will be the electric potential at the center of the square?
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞
a. zero b.4𝑘 c. 𝑘 d. 𝑘
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟

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2. What will be the electric potential at the center of the square if
two charges at the top are replaced with negative charges?
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞
a. zero b.4𝑘 c. 𝑘 d. 𝑘
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
3. If the distance between two charges is quadrupled, how would
the electric potential energy change?
a. doubled b. halved c. quadrupled d. quartered
For Nos. 4-8 refer to the diagram at the right

+5 V -5 V
B
A

+1 0 V 0V -10 V

4. What is the direction of the electric field at point B?

a. upward c. right
b. downward d. left
5. What is the direction of the electric field at point A?
a. upward b. downward c. right d. left
6. Suppose a positive charge was moved from points A to B. What
is work done along the path?
a. increasing c. zero
b. decreasing information d. incomplete
7. Suppose a negative charge was moved from points A to B. What
is work done along the path?
a. increasing c. zero
b. decreasing information d. incomplete

8. At which point is the electric field does zero

A
work on a test charge? B

a. A and D c. B and C D

b.A and B d. D and C

C
9. At which point has higher potential?
a. A b. C c. D d. B
10. At which point is the electric field strongest?
a. A b. C c. D d. B

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11. What is the change in potential energy when a +3.5 C point
charge was moved from a negative plate to a positive plate with
a potential difference of 8V?
a. 28 J b. 0.4375 J c. 2.29 J d. 0 J
12. What is the magnitude of the electric field between parallel
plates with 25 V of potential difference and placed 25 cm apart?
a. 1 N/m b. 1 V/C c. 1 N/C d. 1Nm/C
13. What is the electric potential at point A when q1 = -20 µC
and q2 = +20 µC?
A
10 cm 5 cm

a.8.0 µC b.1.9 µC c.5.5 µC d.2.4 µC

14. Which of the following are valid units for electric field?
I. N/C II. J/Cm III.V/m
a. I and II only b. II and III only c. I and III only d. I, II and III
15. How much work is needed to decreases the distance between a
+15 µC charge and a -20 µC charge from 1 m to 0.25 m?
a.-8.1 J b.8.1 J c.2.7 J d.-2.7 J

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PART IV. KEY ANSWER

a = -900V; b= 1930V; C=0V

Problem Solving

4. Electron transport chain necessary for ATP production

side becomes positively charged

3. The other side of the membrane becomes negatively shraged while the other
2. Ion concentrations, like charges repel and unlike charges attract, permeability

1. It is the difference of concentrations of ions within the membrane’s region

Activity. Membrane Potentials

5. D

4. C

3. A

2. A

1. D

Pre-Test

PART V. REFERENCES
Printed Resources
Sears, F., Zemansky, M. and Young, H. (1992). College Physics 7th Edition. Addison-
Wesley Publishing Company
Zitzewits, Haase and Harper (2013). PHYSICS Principles and Problems. The MAcGraw-
Hill Companies, Inc.
Online References
Chog, D. (2020). Membrane Potentials. Chemistry Libretexts. Retrieved last February
19, 2021 from
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Supplemental_Mo
dules_

(Analytical_Chemistry)/Electrochemistry/Exemplars/Membrane_Potentials
Physics (n.d.). Interactive Physics Simulation for Electric Fields and
Potential.

https://ophysics.com/em4.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=membrane+potential+infographic&tbm=isch&ved=
2ahUKE wjgu4bP3IHvAhUSS5QKHdLxCsQQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=membrane+potential

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