Electrostatics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior of electric charges at rest. It deals with the phenomena of electric fields, forces, and potentials created by stationary electric charges.
Electrostatics and work are related because work is done when a force is applied to move a charge in an electric field. The work done is equal to the product of the charge, the distance moved, and the electric potential difference between the two points.
The unit of electric potential is the volt (V), which is equivalent to one joule per coulomb (J/C). It is a measure of the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field.
Yes, work can be negative in electrostatics. This occurs when the direction of force and displacement are opposite, resulting in a decrease in the electric potential energy of the system. Negative work can also occur when moving a charge against the direction of the electric field.
In electrostatics, the concept of potential energy is closely related to the electric potential at a point in an electric field. The potential energy of a charge is directly proportional to its electric potential and depends on the distance between the charge and the source of the electric field.