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Electricity & Magnetism
Electricity & Magnetism

Electric Potential Energy

U=kq1q2r=qVU = k\frac{q_1 q_2}{r} = qV

Energy stored in configuration of charges.

Variables

U
Potential energy
Electric PE
J
k
Coulomb constant
8.99×10⁹
N·m²/C²
q₁
Charge 1
First charge
C
q₂
Charge 2
Second charge
C
r
Distance
Separation
m
q
Charge
Test charge
C
V
Potential
At charge location
V

Derivation

U = -∫F·dr = kq₁q₂/r. Also U = qV.

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Common questions

What is the Electric Potential Energy formula?

Electric Potential Energy is written U = kq₁ q₂/r = qV. Energy stored in configuration of charges. It belongs to Electricity & Magnetism, under Electrostatics.

What are the units in U = kq₁ q₂/r = qV?

In SI units, U is potential energy, measured in kg·m²/s²; k is coulomb constant, measured in kg·m³/(A²·s⁴); q₁ is charge 1, measured in A·s; q₂ is charge 2, measured in A·s; r is distance, measured in m; q is charge, measured in A·s; V is potential, measured in kg·m²/(A·s³).

How is the Electric Potential Energy formula derived?

U = -∫F·dr = kq₁q₂/r. Also U = qV. The result is U = kq₁ q₂/r = qV.