Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can explain electric potential as electric potential energy per coulomb at a point, and say why it does not depend on the test charge. (Guide: “Energy per coulomb”)
- I can explain the difference between V (a property of a point, in volts) and U_E (a property of a system, in joules). (Guide: misconceptions; Practice Q6d)
- I can explain how a battery keeps a potential difference between its terminals. (Guide: “Batteries”)
- I can explain why conductors in contact end up at the same potential, and why that does not mean equal charge. (Guide: “Conductors in contact”; Practice Q5)
- I can explain why equipotential lines are perpendicular to the field and why the field does no work along them. (Guide: “Equipotential lines”; Practice Q3)
Calculation and skills
- I can find the potential due to up to four point charges by adding signed values of kq/r. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2, Q7a)
- I can use ΔU_E = qΔV, with the signs of both q and ΔV, to find an energy change or the work an external force does. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q6d, Q7b)
- I can find an average field from |ΔV/Δr| and give its direction toward lower potential. (Guide: “Potential and field”; Practice Q4, Q6b)
- I can draw field vectors from an equipotential map, and equipotential lines from a field map. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q3)
- I can find the charge on each of two joined conducting spheres using equal potentials and charge conservation. (Practice Q5)
Reasoning
- I can predict the direction of motion of a positive or negative charge released on an equipotential map, and say how its acceleration changes. (Guide: “Predicting motion from a map”; Practice Q6c)
- I can explain why V can be zero where E is not, using scalar versus vector addition. (Practice Q1, Q7c)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 10.6, Capacitors, or return to the course roadmap.