Index for
Chapter 15
Electric Potential

1. Potential Energy

• electric potential energy
• Absent any other forces, charges will always spontaneously move in the direction that decreases their potential energy as quickly as possible.

2. Potential Energy of Point Charges

• \(PE=k{q_Aq_B\over d}\)

3. Action at a Distance

• Source charges create the electric field,
  while target charges react to the electric field.

4. Electric Potential

• \(V={PE_T\over q_T}\)
• \(V=k{q_s\over d}\) for a single point charge \(q_s\)

5. Equipotential Lines

• equipotential line
• \(PE_T=q_TV\)

6. The Height Metaphor

• Source charges create the landscape:
  Positive sources are peaks.
  Negative sources are pits.
• Target charges react to the landscape:
  Positive targets roll downhill.
  Negative targets roll uphill.

7. Potential of Conductors