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DP IB Physics: HL

Revision Notes

Home / IB / Physics: HL / DP / Revision Notes / 10. Fields (HL only) / 10.2 Fields at Work / 10.2.1 Potential & Potential Energy


10.2.1 Potential & Potential Energy


Potential & Potential Energy

Work Done on a Mass

  • When a mass is moved against the force of gravity, work is done
  • The work done in moving a mass m is given by:
capital delta W equals m cross times capital delta V

  • Where:
    • ∆W = change in work done (J)
    • m = mass (kg)
    • ∆V = change in gravitational potential (J kg-1)

  • This change in work done is equal to the change in gravitational potential energy (G.P.E)
    • When V = 0, then the G.P.E = 0

  • The change in G.P.E, or work done, for an object of mass m at a distance r1 from the centre of a larger mass M, to a distance of r2 further away can be written as:
capital delta G. P. E equals negative fraction numerator G M m over denominator r subscript 2 end fraction minus open parentheses negative fraction numerator G M m over denominator r subscript 1 end fraction close parentheses equals G M m open parentheses 1 over r subscript 1 minus 1 over r subscript 2 close parentheses
    • Where:
      • M = mass that is producing the gravitational field (eg. a planet) (kg)
      • m = mass that is moving in the gravitational field (eg. a satellite) (kg)
      • r1 = first distance of m from the centre of M (m)
      • r2 = second distance of m from the centre of M (m)

  • Work is done when an object in a planet's gravitational field moves against the gravitational field lines i.e.: away from the planet

Change in GPE

Gravitational potential energy increases as a satellite leaves the surface of the Moon

Worked Example

A spacecraft of mass 300 kg leaves the surface of Mars to an altitude of 700 km. Calculate the work done by the spacecraft. The radius of Mars = 3400 km, Mass of Mars = 6.40 × 1023 kg

Step 1: Write down the work done (or change in G.P.E) equation

capital delta G. P. E equals G M m open parentheses 1 over r subscript 1 minus 1 over r subscript 2 close parentheses

Step 2: Determine values for r1 and r2

r1 is the radius of Mars = 3400 km = 3400 × 103 m

r2 is the radius + altitude = 3400 + 700 = 4100 km = 4100 × 103 m

Step 3: Substitute in values

capital delta G. P. E equals left parenthesis 6.67 cross times 10 to the power of negative 11 end exponent right parenthesis cross times left parenthesis 6.40 cross times 10 to the power of 23 right parenthesis cross times 300 cross times left parenthesis fraction numerator 1 over denominator 3400 cross times 10 cubed end fraction minus fraction numerator 1 over denominator 4100 cross times 10 cubed end fraction right parenthesis
    
capital delta G. P. E equals 643.076 cross times 10 to the power of 6 equals 640 space M J

Work Done on a Charge

  • When a mass with charge moves through an electric field, work is done
  • The work done in moving a charge q is given by:
capital delta W equals q cross times capital delta V
  • Where:
    • ∆W = change in work done (J)
    • q = charge (C)
    • ∆V = change in electric potential (J C-1)

  • This change in work done is equal to the change in electric potential energy (E.P.E)
    • When V = 0, then the E.P.E = 0

  • The change in E.P.E, or work done, for a point charge q at a distance r1 from the centre of a larger charge Q, to a distance of r2 further away can be written as:
capital delta E. P. E equals fraction numerator Q q over denominator 4 pi epsilon subscript o end fraction left parenthesis 1 over r subscript 2 minus 1 over r subscript 1 right parenthesis
    • Where:
      • Q = charge that is producing the electric field (C)
      • q = charge that is moving in the electric field (C)
      • r1 = first distance of q from the centre of Q (m)
      • r2 = second distance of q from the centre of Q (m)

Change in Electric Potential Energy, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Work is done when moving a point charge away from another charge

  • Work is done when a positive charge in an electric field moves against the electric field lines or when a negative charge moves with the electric field lines

Worked Example

The potentials at points R and S due to the +7.0 nC charge are 675 V and 850 V respectively.

Work Done Electric Field Worked Example, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Calculate how much work is done when a +3.0 nC charge is moved from R to S.

Step 1: Write down the known quantities

    • p.d. at R, V1 = 675 V
    • p.d. at S, V2 = 850 V
    • Charge, q = +3.0 nC = +3.0 × 10-9 C

Step 2: Write down the work done equation

W = q × ΔV

Step 3: Substitute in the values into the equation

W = (3.0 × 10-9) × (850 - 675) = 5.3 × 10-7 J

Exam Tip

Make sure to not confuse the ΔG.P.E equation with ΔG.P.E = mgΔh, they look similar but refer to quite different situations.

The more familiar equation is only relevant for an object lifted in a uniform gravitational field, meaning very close to the Earth’s surface, where we can model the field as uniform.

The new equation for G.P.E does not include g. The gravitational field strength, which is different on different planets, does not remain constant as the distance from the surface increases. Gravitational field strength falls away according to the inverse square law.

Remember that q in the work done equation is the charge that is being moved, whilst Q is the charge which is producing the potential. Make sure not to get these two mixed up. It is common for both to be given in the question, as in our worked example. You are expected to choose the correct one.



  • 1. Measurement & Uncertainties
    • 1.1 Measurements in Physics
      • 1.1.1 SI Units
        • 1.1.2 Using Scientific Notation
          • 1.1.3 Estimating Physical Quantities
          • 1.2 Uncertainties & Errors
            • 1.2.1 Random & Systematic Errors
              • 1.2.2 Calculating Uncertainties
                • 1.2.3 Determining Uncertainties from Graphs
                • 1.3 Vectors & Scalars
                  • 1.3.1 Vector & Scalar Quantities
                    • 1.3.2 Combining & Resolving Vectors
                      • 1.3.3 Solving Vector Problems
                    • 2. Mechanics
                      • 2.1 Motion
                        • 2.1.1 Distance & Displacement
                          • 2.1.2 Speed & Velocity
                            • 2.1.3 Acceleration
                              • 2.1.4 Graphs Describing Motion
                                • 2.1.5 Uniform Acceleration
                                  • 2.1.6 Acceleration of Free Fall Experiment
                                    • 2.1.7 Projectile Motion
                                      • 2.1.8 Terminal Speed
                                      • 2.2 Forces
                                        • 2.2.1 Free-Body Diagrams
                                          • 2.2.2 Newton’s First Law
                                            • 2.2.3 Newton’s Second Law
                                              • 2.2.4 Newton’s Third Law
                                                • 2.2.5 Applying Newton’s Laws of Motion
                                                  • 2.2.6 Friction
                                                  • 2.3 Work, Energy & Power
                                                    • 2.3.1 Kinetic Energy
                                                      • 2.3.2 Gravitational Potential Energy
                                                        • 2.3.3 Elastic Potential Energy
                                                          • 2.3.4 Work Done
                                                            • 2.3.5 Power
                                                              • 2.3.6 Principle of Conservation of Energy
                                                                • 2.3.7 Efficiency
                                                                • 2.4 Momentum & Impulse
                                                                  • 2.4.1 Force & Momentum
                                                                    • 2.4.2 Impulse
                                                                      • 2.4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum
                                                                        • 2.4.4 Collisions & Explosions
                                                                      • 3. Thermal Physics
                                                                        • 3.1 Thermal Concepts
                                                                          • 3.1.1 Solids, Liquids & Gases
                                                                            • 3.1.2 Temperature
                                                                              • 3.1.3 Internal Energy
                                                                                • 3.1.4 Specific Heat Capacity
                                                                                  • 3.1.5 Specific Latent Heat
                                                                                    • 3.1.6 Phase Change
                                                                                      • 3.1.7 Investigating Thermal Energy
                                                                                      • 3.2 Modelling a Gas
                                                                                        • 3.2.1 Ideal Gas Laws
                                                                                          • 3.2.2 Ideal Gas Equation
                                                                                            • 3.2.3 Kinetic Model of an Ideal Gas
                                                                                              • 3.2.4 Mole Calculations
                                                                                                • 3.2.5 Investigating Gas Laws
                                                                                              • 4. Waves
                                                                                                • 4.1 Oscillations
                                                                                                  • 4.1.1 Properties of Oscillations
                                                                                                    • 4.1.2 Simple Harmonic Oscillations
                                                                                                      • 4.1.3 SHM Graphs
                                                                                                        • 4.1.4 Energy in SHM
                                                                                                        • 4.2 Travelling Waves
                                                                                                          • 4.2.1 Properties of Waves
                                                                                                            • 4.2.2 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
                                                                                                              • 4.2.3 Electromagnetic Waves
                                                                                                                • 4.2.4 Sound Waves
                                                                                                                • 4.3 Wave Characteristics
                                                                                                                  • 4.3.1 Wavefronts
                                                                                                                    • 4.3.2 Amplitude & Intensity
                                                                                                                      • 4.3.3 Superposition
                                                                                                                        • 4.3.4 Polarisation
                                                                                                                          • 4.3.5 Malus’s Law
                                                                                                                          • 4.4 Wave Behaviour
                                                                                                                            • 4.4.1 Reflection, Refraction & Transmission
                                                                                                                              • 4.4.2 Reflection
                                                                                                                                • 4.4.3 Refraction
                                                                                                                                  • 4.4.4 Determining Refractive Index
                                                                                                                                    • 4.4.5 Single-Slit Diffraction
                                                                                                                                      • 4.4.6 Interference & Path Difference
                                                                                                                                        • 4.4.7 Double-Slit Equation
                                                                                                                                        • 4.5 Standing Waves
                                                                                                                                          • 4.5.1 The Nature of Standing Waves
                                                                                                                                            • 4.5.2 Nodes & Antinodes
                                                                                                                                              • 4.5.3 Boundary Conditions for Standing Waves
                                                                                                                                                • 4.5.4 Harmonics
                                                                                                                                              • 5. Electricity & Magnetism
                                                                                                                                                • 5.1 Electric Fields
                                                                                                                                                  • 5.1.1 Charge & Current
                                                                                                                                                    • 5.1.2 Drift Speed
                                                                                                                                                      • 5.1.3 Potential Difference & DC
                                                                                                                                                        • 5.1.4 Electric Fields
                                                                                                                                                          • 5.1.5 Coulomb’s Law
                                                                                                                                                          • 5.2 Heating Effect of Electric Currents
                                                                                                                                                            • 5.2.1 Circuits
                                                                                                                                                              • 5.2.2 Resistance & Resistors
                                                                                                                                                                • 5.2.3 Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws
                                                                                                                                                                  • 5.2.4 I-V Characteristics
                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.2.5 Resistivity
                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.2.6 Investigating Resistivity
                                                                                                                                                                        • 5.2.7 Series & Parallel Circuits
                                                                                                                                                                          • 5.2.8 Heating Effect of Current
                                                                                                                                                                            • 5.2.9 Potential Divider Circuits
                                                                                                                                                                            • 5.3 Electric Cells
                                                                                                                                                                              • 5.3.1 Primary & Secondary Cells
                                                                                                                                                                                • 5.3.2 Investigating Electric Cells
                                                                                                                                                                                  • 5.3.3 Terminal Potential Difference
                                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.3.4 Electromotive Force & Internal Resistance
                                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.4 Magnetic Effects of Electric Currents
                                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.4.1 Magnetic Fields
                                                                                                                                                                                        • 5.4.2 Magnetic Force on a Charge
                                                                                                                                                                                          • 5.4.3 Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor
                                                                                                                                                                                            • 5.4.4 Solving Problems Involving Magnetic Forces
                                                                                                                                                                                          • 6. Circular Motion & Gravitation
                                                                                                                                                                                            • 6.1 Circular Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                              • 6.1.1 Circular Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                                • 6.1.2 Centripetal Force
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 6.1.3 Centripetal Acceleration
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 6.1.4 Applications of Circular Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 6.2 Newton’s Law of Gravitation
                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 6.2.1 Newton’s Law of Gravitation
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 6.2.2 Circular Orbits
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 6.2.3 Gravitational Field Strength
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 7. Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 7.1 Discrete Energy & Radioactivity
                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.1.1 Discrete Energy Levels
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 7.1.2 Calculating Discrete Energies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 7.1.3 Emission & Absorption Spectrum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 7.1.4 Isotopes & Radioactive Decay
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 7.1.5 Background Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 7.1.6 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Particles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 7.1.7 Decay Equations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 7.1.8 Half-Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.1.9 Investigating Half-Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.2 Nuclear Reactions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 7.2.1 Atomic Mass Unit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 7.2.2 Mass Defect & Nuclear Binding Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 7.2.3 Nuclear Fission & Fusion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 7.2.4 Binding Energy per Nucleon Curve
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 7.3 The Structure of Matter
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 7.3.1 Discovery of the Nucleus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 7.3.2 Quarks & Leptons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 7.3.3 Hadrons, Baryons & Mesons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.3.4 Particle Conservation Laws
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 7.3.5 Fundamental Forces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 7.3.6 Feynman Diagrams & Confinement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 7.3.7 The Standard Model of Particle Physics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 8. Energy Production
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 8.1 Energy Sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 8.1.1 Specific Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 8.1.2 Sankey Diagrams
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 8.1.3 Primary & Secondary Energy Sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 8.1.4 Energy Resources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 8.1.5 Energy Generation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 8.1.6 Safety Issues in Nuclear Power
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 8.2 Thermal Energy Transfer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 8.2.1 Conduction, Convection & Thermal Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 8.2.2 Black-Body Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 8.2.3 The Solar Constant, Albedo & Emissivity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 8.2.4 The Greenhouse Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 8.2.5 Earth's Surface–Atmosphere System
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 9. Wave Phenomena (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 9.1 Simple Harmonic Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 9.1.1 The Defining Equation of SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 9.1.2 Energy Changes in SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 9.1.3 Calculating Energy Changes in SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 9.1.4 Examples of SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 9.2 Single-Slit Diffraction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 9.2.1 The Nature of Single-Slit Diffraction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.2.2 Intensity of Interference Maxima & Minima
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.3 Interference
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 9.3.1 Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 9.3.2 Two-Slit Interference Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 9.3.3 Diffraction Grating Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 9.3.4 The Diffraction Grating Equation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 9.3.5 Thin Film Interference
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 9.4 Resolution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 9.4.1 The Rayleigh Criterion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 9.4.2 Rayleigh Criterion Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.4.3 Resolvance of Diffraction Gratings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.5 Doppler Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 9.5.1 The Doppler Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 9.5.2 Uses of The Doppler Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 9.5.3 The Doppler Equation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 10. Fields (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 10.1 Describing Fields
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 10.1.1 Gravitational & Electrostatic Fields
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 10.1.2 Gravitational & Electrostatic Field Lines
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 10.1.3 Gravitational & Electrostatic Potential
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 10.1.4 Equipotential Surfaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 10.2 Fields at Work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 10.2.1 Potential & Potential Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 10.2.2 Potential Energy Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 10.2.3 Potential Gradient & Difference
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 10.2.4 Potential in a Charged Sphere
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 10.2.5 Escape Speed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 10.2.6 Orbital Motion, Speed & Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 10.2.7 Forces & Inverse-Square Law Behaviour
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 10.2.8 Forces on Charges & Masses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 11. Electromagnetic Induction (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 11.1 Electromagnetic Induction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 11.1.1 Emf, Magnetic Flux & Magnetic Flux Linkage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 11.1.2 Induced Emf
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 11.1.3 Faraday’s Law
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.1.4 Lenz’s Law
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.2 Power Generation & Transmission
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 11.2.1 AC Generators
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 11.2.2 Root-Mean-Square Current & Voltage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 11.2.3 Step-Up & Step-Down Transformers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 11.2.4 Transformer Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 11.2.5 AC Electrical Power Distribution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 11.2.6 Diode Bridges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 11.2.7 Investigating Diode Bridges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.2.8 Rectification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 11.2.9 Capacitors & Diode Bridges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 11.3 Capacitance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 11.3.1 Capacitance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 11.3.2 Dielectric Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 11.3.3 Capacitors in Series & Parallel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 11.3.4 The Time Constant
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 11.3.5 Energy Stored in a Capacitor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 11.3.6 Capacitor Charge & Discharge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.3.7 Discharge Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 12. Quantum & Nuclear Physics (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 12.1 The Interaction of Matter with Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 12.1.1 Photons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 12.1.2 The Photoelectric Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 12.1.3 Observing the Photoelectric Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 12.1.4 Solving Photoelectric Problems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 12.1.5 Matter Waves
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 12.1.6 Pair Production & Annihilation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 12.1.7 Quantization of Angular Momentum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 12.1.8 The Wave Function
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 12.1.9 The Uncertainty Principle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 12.1.10 Tunnelling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 12.2 Nuclear Physics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 12.2.1 Rutherford Scattering & Nuclear Radius
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 12.2.2 Nuclear Scattering
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 12.2.3 Deviations from Rutherford Scattering
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 12.2.4 Nuclear Energy Levels
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 12.2.5 The Neutrino
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 12.2.6 The Law of Radioactive Decay
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 12.2.7 Measuring Half-Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Katie Moon

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Author: Katie

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.


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