240 likes | 1.36k Views
Day 17: Equipotential Surfaces. Lines of equal potential Equipotential Surfaces Justification for Perpendicularity to the Electric Field Mapping of Equipotential Surfaces. Equipotential Lines. A line in which all points are at the same voltage, is called an equipotential line .
E N D
Day 17: Equipotential Surfaces • Lines of equal potential • Equipotential Surfaces • Justification for Perpendicularity to the Electric Field • Mapping of Equipotential Surfaces
Equipotential Lines • A line in which all points are at the same voltage, is called an equipotential line. • Equipotential Lines are perpendicular to the electric field
Equipotential Surfaces • A surface in which all points are at the same voltage is called an equipotential surface • An equipotential surface must be perpendicular to the electric field
Justification of Perpendicularity to the Electric Field • On a surface where V is constant, ΔV = 0, so either E = 0, or dl = 0, or cosθ = 0 (where cosθ is the angle between E & dl). For cosθ = 0, θ = 90°, • On a surface of a conductor of uniform charge, the entire surface is an equipotential surface, otherwise free electrons on the surface would move through the potential difference