Electric Potential Energy
Energy stored in configuration of charges.
Variables
Derivation
U = -∫F·dr = kq₁q₂/r. Also U = qV.
Your notes
Constants in this formula
Check value
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- k = 8.988 × 10⁹ N·m²/C² (Coulomb constant)
- q₁ = 2 C (Charge 1)
- q₂ = 3 C (Charge 2)
- r = 4 m (Distance)
Result: U = 1.3482 × 10¹⁰ J
Other electricity & magnetism formulas with the same quantities
- Electric Dipole Field (Axial) (Electrostatics) shares Coulomb constant, Distance
- Electric Field (Electrostatics) shares Distance
- Electric Dipole Moment (Electrostatics) shares Charge
- Magnetic Force on Charge (Magnetism) shares Charge
- Cyclotron Frequency (Magnetism) shares Charge
- Cyclotron Radius (Magnetism) shares Charge
Where this formula is listed
- Electricity & Magnetism formulas, under Electrostatics, alongside Uniform Electric Field, Gauss's Law and Electric Flux.
- In the electricity & magnetism list it comes after Electric Potential and before Uniform Electric Field.
- Electricity & Magnetism formula sheet, one of 48 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Electric Potential Energy formula?
Electric Potential Energy is written U = k(q₁q₂/r) = qV. Energy stored in configuration of charges. It belongs to Electricity & Magnetism, under Electrostatics.
What are the units in U = k(q₁q₂/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 = k(q₁q₂/r) = qV.