Using Graphs to Answer "Why" Questions of Electric Potential Energy (15:36)
Why is the electric potential energy of unlike charges negative? Why does it decrease as they get closer? In this Flipping Physics lesson, we graph electric potential energy vs. distance for a two-point charge system and use the shape of the curve to answer these fundamental "why" questions. We'll also explore how definitions in physics—like the charge of the electron—are human conventions, and how external forces relate to energy changes in charge systems. Whether you're preparing for AP Physics 2 or trying to deepen your understanding of electrostatics, this video will make it all make sense.
Chapters:
0:00 3 Questions
0:34 The Real “Why”
2:24 The Shape of the Graph
5:58 Analyzing the Graph
7:58 Answering the 3 Questions
10:27 Moving Up the Vertical Axis
11:42 Moving Down the Vertical Axis
12:55 The Graph from a Work Perspective
Chapters:
0:00 3 Questions
0:34 The Real “Why”
2:24 The Shape of the Graph
5:58 Analyzing the Graph
7:58 Answering the 3 Questions
10:27 Moving Up the Vertical Axis
11:42 Moving Down the Vertical Axis
12:55 The Graph from a Work Perspective
- Thank you Gerardo Garcia and the rest of my wonderful Patreon supporters. Please consider supporting me monthly on Patreon!
- Thank you to Julie Langenbrunner, Lou Jison, and Christopher Becke for being my Quality Control Team for this video.