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Electric potential is defined as the amount of work required to move a unit charge from a reference point to a particular point against the electric field. When a body moves against the electric field, it gains a certain amount of energy, called the electric potential. The electrical potential of the charge is produced by dividing the potential energy with the amount of charge.
Strength of the electric field depends on the electric potential. Electric potential is independent on whether a charge is placed in the electric field or not. The electric potential is a scalar quantity means electric potential has only magnitude. It does not have direction.
Factors affecting the electric potential
- Electric charge carried by an object.
- The relative position of an object with respect to other electrically charged bodies.
Electric potential formula
The electric potential formula is given as
V=(1/40)q/r
Electron volt
The electron volt is an acceptable non-SI unit of work and energy. It is used for some applications in electromagnetism; solid state, atomic, nuclear and particle physics and related sciences such as biophysics, chemistry, and astronomy.
The one electron volt is
1 eV=1.610-16 J
Potential Energy
Electric potential energy is the total potential energy which is possessed by a unit charge when located at any point outside the space.
The potential energy of a positive charge increases as the charge moves against an electric field and decreases as the charge moves with the electric field.
The potential energy of a negative charge decreases as the charge moves against an electric field and increases as the charge moves with the electric field. Unless the unit charge is traversing a changing magnetic field, its potential at a given point does not depend on the path travelled.
Electric Potential due to a point charge
The electric potential at any point in an electric field is the amount of work done required to move a unit positive charge from infinity to that point along any path when the electrostatic forces are applied. Let us consider a positive charge is placed at a point. The charge placed at that point will exert a force because of the presence of an electric field.
The electric potential at any point with a distance of r from the positive charge +q is given by,
V=1/40q/r
Here,
V = Electric potential
q = test charge
r = position vector
Volt is the SI Unit of electric potential.
1 Volt (V) = 1 joule (J)/ 1 coulomb (C ) = J/C
If unit work is done in moving a charge of coulomb from infinity to a specified point due to an electric field against the electrostatic force then electric potential is termed as 1 volt electrostatic potential.
Electric Potential due to multiple charges
Suppose a group of point charges are given such as q1, q2……. qn which is kept at a distance of r1, r2, …… rn , we get the electrostatic potential at any specified point. We determine the electrostatic potential at any point because of each individual charge by taking the other charges absent. Then we calculate the summation of potential of all the charges algebraically.
Thus, electric potential of a group of point charges is the summation of individual potential of all the charges algebraically.
Electric Potential due to multiple charges is given as
V=1/40 (q1)/r1
Conclusion
Electric potential is independent on whether a charge is placed in the electric field or not. The electric potential is a scalar quantity means electric potential has only magnitude. It does not have direction.
Factors affecting the electric potential
- Electric charge carried by an object.
- The relative position of an object with respect to other electrically charged bodies.
Electric potential formula
The electric potential formula is given as
V=1/40 q/r
Electric potential energy is the total potential energy which is possessed by a unit charge when located at any point outside the space.
When one joule work is required in moving a one Coulomb of charge against the electric field then it is known as One Volt electric potential.
The surface of the earth is considered to be at zero potential because the earth is so large that adding or removing charges does not change it’s electrical state.
Electric Potential due to multiple charges is given as
V=1/40 (q1)/r1
The electric potential at any point with a distance of r from the positive charge +q is given by,
V=1/40 q/r
Electrical potential energy depends on
- Electric charge of itself
- The relative position of an object with respect to other electrically charged bodies.
