Beta Phase: Square45 is currently in beta testing. Expect some features or content to be incomplete or missing.
45

Work-Energy Theorem (Electrostatics)

The work done in moving a charge against the electric field is equal to the change in its electric potential energy: W = -qΔV.
📜

The statement of the theorem

Let qq be a test charge moving along a path CC parameterized by r(t)\vec{r}(t) from an initial point AA to a final point BB. The electric force acting on qq is FE=qE\vec{F}_E = q\vec{E}, where E\vec{E} is the electric field. Since E\vec{E} is derived from a scalar potential ϕ\phi such that E=ϕ\vec{E} = -\nabla\phi, the force is conservative: FE=qϕ\vec{F}_E = -q\nabla\phi. The work done WABW_{AB} by the electric force is defined by the line integral:\n\nWAB=CFEdr=C(qϕ)drW_{AB} = \int_C \vec{F}_E \cdot d\vec{r} = \int_C (-q\nabla\phi) \cdot d\vec{r}\n\nBy the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus for Line Integrals, this simplifies to:\n\nWAB=qϕ(B)+qϕ(A)=q(ϕ(A)ϕ(B))W_{AB} = -q\phi(B) + q\phi(A) = q(\phi(A) - \phi(B))\n\nFurthermore, the change in potential energy ΔU\Delta U is defined as ΔU=UBUA=q(ϕ(B)ϕ(A))\Delta U = U_B - U_A = q(\phi(B) - \phi(A)). Equating the work done to the negative change in potential energy yields the Work-Energy Theorem in Electrostatics:\n\nWAB=ΔU=q(ϕ(A)ϕ(B))W_{AB} = -\Delta U = q(\phi(A) - \phi(B))
Source: Wikipedia