Equipotential Surfaces – Class 12 | Chapter – 2 | Physics Short Notes Series PDF for NEET & JEE

Equipotential Surfaces: An equipotential surface is a surface in space where the electric potential is constant. In other words, the electric potential is the same at every point on an equipotential surface. This means that the electric field is perpendicular to an equipotential surface at every point. Equipotential surfaces are important in the study of electricity and magnetism because they provide a convenient way to visualize the behavior of electric fields and to understand the behavior of electrically charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. For example, if a charged particle is placed on an equipotential surface, it will not experience any net electric force and will remain at rest on the surface.

Properties of Equipotential Surface

There are several key properties of equipotential surfaces:

• Constant Potential: An equipotential surface is a surface in space where the electric potential is constant. This means that the electric potential is the same at every point on an equipotential surface.
• Perpendicular to Electric Field: The electric field is perpendicular to an equipotential surface at every point. This means that the direction of the electric field is tangent to the surface.
• No Net Force: If a charged particle is placed on an equipotential surface, it will not experience any net electric force and will remain at rest on the surface.
• Zero Work: The work done by the electric field in moving a charged particle along an equipotential surface is zero. This means that the electric field does not transfer energy to the particle as it moves along the surface.
• Connected Surfaces: Equipotential surfaces are connected surfaces, meaning that they form a continuous, connected network in space. This makes it possible to move a charged particle from one equipotential surface to another without crossing any other surface.
• Shape: Equipotential surfaces can have various shapes and can be either planar or curved. The shape of an equipotential surface depends on the distribution and arrangement of the charges in the electric field.

• Representation: Equipotential surfaces can be represented graphically, using lines to connect points of equal potential in space. These lines are known as equipotential lines, and the graph of equipotential lines is called an equipotential map.

Work Done in Equipotential Surface

The work done in moving a charge between two points in an equipotential surface is zero. If a point charge is moved from point V_A to V_B, in an equipotential surface, then the work done in moving the charge is given by

W = q₀(V_A –V_B)

As V_A – V_B is equal to zero, the total work done is W = 0.

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By Team Learning Mantras