The Electrostatic Potential Energy calculator computes the magnitude of potential energy between two charged particles based on their charge and the distance between them.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (Q1) Charge of Particle One
- (Q2) Charge of Particle Two
- (d) Distance between Particles
Electrostatic Potential Energy (Eel): The results are returns in electron volts (eV). However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.
The Math / Science
The Electrostatic Potential Energy equation computes the magnitude of the potential energy resulting from the electrostatic interaction of two charged particles having charges of `Q_1` and `Q_2` respectively, where the particle are separated by distance d.
The potential energy is proportional to the product of the two charges and inversely proportional to the distance between the charges, so `E_"el" prop (Q_1*Q_2)/d`.
The constant of proportionality in this equation is the Coulomb Constant, `k_e`.
Energy Calculators
- Kinetic Energy: `KE= 1/2 *m * v^2`
- Kinetic Energy (change of velocity): `KE = 1/2*m*(V_1-V_2)^2`
- Relativistic Kinetic Energy: `E_K = (m*c^2)/sqrt(1 - v^2"/"c^2") - m*c^2`
- Potential Energy: `U(y) = m*g*y`
- Potential Energy of Gravity (two bodies): `U(G) = - (G*m1*m2)/r`
- Nuclear Binding Energy: `E = m*c^2`
- Quantum Energy (Planck's Equation): `E = h*f`
- Energy of a Particle in a Box: `E_n=(n^2h^2)/(8mL^2)`
- Molecular Kinetic Energy: `KE = 3/2 * k_B *T`
- Electrostatic Potential Energy: `E_(el) = k_e * (Q_1*Q_2)/d`
- Photon Energy from Wavelength: `E = (h*c)/lambda`
- Heat Energy to Change Material Temperature: `Q = C * m *DeltaT`
Notes
The potential energy can be a due to either the force of attraction (between particles of opposite charge) or the force of repulsion (between particles of the same charge).