Difference in Electric Potential between Two Points

Every electric particle present in an electric field possesses potential energy due to the force applied to it. This potential energy depends upon the location of the particle in an electric field. Therefore, there will be a potential difference between the two points present at an alternate location in a non-uniform electric field, withstanding different potential. However, it is also defined as the representation of the work done for transmitting a unit charge within an electric field. A potential difference is termed as a positive as well as a negative potential difference, and there are a number of equations for figuring out the potential difference.

What is Electric Potential?

An electric potential can be defined as the stored potential energy in an electric particle when it is present in an electric field. In simple words, an electric potential can be expressed as the flow of the unit charge from one particle to the other, when it comes in contact, in an electric field. The electric potential of an electric particle depends upon its location as well as the magnitude of the electric field. Considering two particles presented in the electric field, one of which is closer to the source than the other. Therefore, they both will have different potential energy stored within them. This explains that the electric potential depends upon the location of the particle in an electric field.

Potential Difference

A potential difference between two points can be termed as the difference between the stored potential energy in both of the points depending upon the location in an electric field. Consider an electric current flowing through a circuit where two points A and B are present. The potential difference between points A and B will depend upon the work done in the transfer of a unit charge from one point of the circuit to the other. A potential difference can be cast as positive as well as negative. A potential difference can be measured by an instrument called a voltmeter, and the measuring unit for the potential difference is Volt. The mathematical evaluation of one Volt is expressed as:

1 Volt=1 Joules/ 1 Coulomb.

Potential Difference between Two Points

The potential difference between the two points depends upon the amount of energy, i.e., the potential energy at both the ends. If one of the points has higher potential energy than the other point, then the energy flows from the higher potential particle to the lower potential particle. The mathematical abbreviation of the potential difference between any two points is represented as,

V=Ed.

Here, V is the representation of the potential difference in volts, whereas E is the electrical field that is measured in terms of Newtons per coulomb or Volt per metre. And the d is the distance between the two points presented in an electric field.

Equation

The potential difference between two points can be represented by a number of equations. Considering the potential difference between the charge flowing in a circuit can be expressed as,

V=W/Q.

Here V represent the potential difference with W as the work is done. The work done can be expressed as the product of the charge present on a particle to that of the potential difference, i.e., W=QV.

The basic representation of a potential difference between 2 points present At a certain distance from each other in an electric field is expressed as,

V=Ed.

Here E is the magnitude of the electric field, and d is the distance between the two points present in that electric field.

Examples:

Considering a simple example of potential difference where two charges, A and B, are present in an electric field of 10V/m and the charges A and B are at a distance of 5 metres from each other. Therefore, the potential difference between the point A and B will be represented by the formula,

V=Ed

Here,

E=10 V/m

d=5m

V=10*5

V=50V.

According to the above solution, the potential difference between points A and B is 50V.

Another example represents the potential difference, where 200 J of work is done in carrying a unit charge of 20 C from one point to another. Here the potential difference can be expressed by the equation,

V=W/Q

Here,

W=200J

Q=20C

Hence,

V=200/20

V=10 V.

Therefore, the potential difference required to do 200J  of work for carrying charge of 20 C between two points is 10 Volt.

Conclusion

The potential difference is the difference between potential energy between two points in an electric field, which is quite reliable as both of them have a different amount of potential energy stored within them depending upon the distance in that electric field. The potential difference is considered to be positive as well as negative, which is also dependent upon the distance of those points in a particular electric field. Moreover, the potential energy flows from the point having higher potential energy to the point having lower potential energy. A basic example of potential difference between two points can be experienced in the current flow through a circuit.