Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy
The electric potential is the electric potential energy per unit charge at a place in space. In other words, electric potential is the total energy a unit test charge would have had at that time; we measure it in volts. However, electric potential energy is provided by a charged particle’s place in an electric field. We measure it in joules.
The relationship between electric potential and electric potential energy is expressed as follows: electric potential energy = charge x electric potential.
Basis of difference | Electric Potential | Electric Potential Energy |
---|---|---|
Dependence on Charge | It depends only on the source charge(s) creating the electric field and the distance from the point of interest. | It depends not only on the charges creating the electric field but also on the test charge or system of charges experiencing the field. |
Nature | It is a scalar quantity, representing the intensity of the electric field at a given point. | It is a scalar quantity, representing the stored energy in a system of charges due to their configuration in an electric field. |
Representation | It represents the electric field intensity at a particular point. | It represents the stored energy in a system of charges. |
Relation | It is related to electric potential energy per unit charge, as V = U/q, where V is electric potential, U is electric potential energy, and q is charge. | It contributes to the electric potential, as the electric potential at a point is directly related to the electric potential energy per unit charge at that point. |
Calculation | It’s calculated by dividing the electric potential energy by the amount of charge present. | It’s calculated by summing up the work done in bringing individual charges together from infinity to their respective positions. |
Electrostatic Potential
Electrostatic potential refers to the amount of electrical potential energy present at a specific point in space due to the presence of electric charges. It represents how much work would be done to move a unit of positive charge from infinity to that point without causing any acceleration. The unit for electrostatic potential is the volt (V). It’s a fundamental concept in understanding electric fields and plays a crucial role in various electrical applications, from household circuits to complex electronic devices.
In this article, we will learn about electric potential, electric potential energy, and the case of electric potential at a point and much more.
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