Potential Difference Path Independence, claimed by Aditya Mohile

Potential difference is a scalar quantity that measures the difference of electric potential between 2 points. The path taken from one point to another does not affect the potential difference therefore potential difference is said to be path independent.

The Main Idea

The potential difference between two points does not depend on the path taken to get from one point to another because the difference between the locations of the two points remain the same regardless of the path taken to get from one to another.

A Mathematical Model

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AB} = \int_{A}^{B} \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{l} = -(E_{x}\Delta x + E_{y}\Delta y + E_{z}\Delta z) }[/math]

The potential difference, [math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AB} }[/math], is the integral of the electrical field from point A to point B. This integral, however, is the dot product of [math]\displaystyle{ \vec{E} }[/math] and [math]\displaystyle{ d\vec{l} }[/math] which is equal to the sum of the negative electric field multiplied by the difference of the x,y and z components of the 2 points, as see from the equation above. This proves that the path taken from point A to point B does not matter, only the difference in the positions of points A and B are important in calculating the potential difference.

A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript

Examples

Be sure to show all steps in your solution and include diagrams whenever possible

Simple

Problem: Locations A, B, and C are in a region of uniform electric field, as shown in the diagram above. Location A is at < -0.6, 0, 0> m. Location B is at < 0.4, 0, 0>. Location C is at < 0.4, -0.3, 0>m. In the region the electric field = < -750, 400, 0> N/C. Calculate the potential difference between A and C traveling from A to B then to C. Calculate the potential difference traveling from A to C directly.

Step 1

Calculate the displacement vector from A to B.

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta l = \lt 0.4, 0, 0\gt - \lt -0.6, 0, 0\gt = \lt 1, 0, 0\gt }[/math]

Step 2

Calculate the potential difference between A and B.

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AB} = -(E_{x}\Delta x + E_{y}\Delta y + E_{z}\Delta z) }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AB} = -(-750*1 + 400*0 + 0*0) = 750V }[/math]

Step 3

Calculate the displacement vector from B to C.

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta l = \lt 0.4, -0.3, 0\gt - \lt 0.4, 0, 0\gt = \lt 0, -0.3, 0\gt }[/math]

Step 4

Calculate the potential difference between B and C.

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{BC} = -(E_{x}\Delta x + E_{y}\Delta y + E_{z}\Delta z) }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{BC} = -(-750*0 + 400*-0.3 + 0*0) = 120V }[/math]

Step 5

Add [math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AB} }[/math] to [math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{BC} }[/math] to get [math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AC} }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AC} = \Delta V_{AB} + \Delta V_{BC} = 750 + 120 = 870V }[/math]

Now you have to calculate the potential difference from A to C directly.

Step 1

Calculate the displacement vector from A to C.

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta l = \lt 0.4, -0.3, 0\gt - \lt -0.6, 0, 0\gt = \lt 1, -0.3, 0\gt }[/math]

Step 2

Calculate the potential difference between A and C.

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AB} = -(E_{x}\Delta x + E_{y}\Delta y + E_{z}\Delta z) }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ \Delta V_{AB} = -(-750*1 + 400*-0.3 + 0*0) = 750 + 120 = 870V }[/math]

As you can see, potential difference from A to C directly is the same as the potential difference from A to B then to C.

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Further reading

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External links

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References

Matter & Interactions volume II by Ruth W. Chabay and Bruce A. Sherwood.