Electric Potential And Its Calculation

The amount of work needed for moving a unit of charge from one reference point to another specific point against an electric field is known as electric potential. The SI unit of electrical potential is volt, and there is a formula to convert electric potential to point charge electric dipole. A dipole’s electrical potential relies on the distance between the end at which the potential is calculated, and the dipole midpoints. Simply put, electrical potential refers to the amount of work required for moving a positive charge. The electric potential of dipole is:

V= kq/T (Point charge)

Where,
V is the electric potential of dipole, and
k is a constant whose value is 9.0 X 109 N.m2/C2

Typically, the reference point is referred to as the earth, and any point beyond the surface of the electric field can be identified as a specific point of moving. 

This chapter is focused on clearing the concept of electrostatics or electric potential and the SI unit of charge. This chapter will also cover the formula of electrical potential and electrical potential derivation to prove the formula in the equation.

Calculation of electric potential of an electric dipole 

An electric dipole consists of two opposite charges: q and -q. Both the charges are separated by a small distance named 2a, whose total charge value will be zero. The dipole will be characterised through vector moment p, the magnitude of which will be q x 2a. 

Remember that the electric field at any given point of a dipole is not dependent on r magnitude alone; it also includes the angle located between r and p. Thus, the field will fall off from a large distance at a rate of 1/r3 due to a single charge. 

Point charge, such as an electron, is the fundamental building block of matter. Spherical charge distribution, such as metal sphere charge distribution, creates an electrical field like a point charge. Thus, we need to consider the electric potential due to a point charge as, 

V = kq / r, 

where, V is the electrical potential point charge, and k is a constant equal to 9.0 ✖ 109 N. m9/C9. The potential at infinity is chosen as zero. Thus, the point V charge decreases with distance, whereas E is a point that decreases with distance squared. 

Concept of electrical potential 

Electric potential is also known as electric field potential or electrostatic potential. The power or quantity of energy required for moving a unit of electrical charge across the field is supposed to process with negligible acceleration. 

To discuss electrical potential in detail, it is essential to clear the concept of potential energy. Potential energy is the stored energy in an object. In simpler words, the amount of energy every object has in it individually is known as potential energy. It can often be described as the potential energy per charge at a particular position or point. Moreover, the electrical potential is the potential energy per unit charge. 

We can also say that electrical potential is energy per unit that describes the energy of an object based on its position of potential power. The potential energy increases its positive charge against the electric field and decreases when moving with the electrical field. The opposite reaction occurs for negative control. Unless the unit charges cross, the magnetic field does not change. The potential does not depend on the path taken at any given point. 

Electric potential formula

The electric potential formula is the product of charge multiplied by the particles of electric potential. 

Potential energy = charge of the particle ✖ electric potential.

Therefore, U = qV

Here, U refers to the potential energy of an object in unit J or joules,
Q refers to the charge of the point particle in Unit C or coulombs, and
V refers to electrical potential in unit volt equal to joules per coulombs or V= J/C. 

Conclusion

To conclude, electric potential energy refers to the power required for moving charge against an electrostatic field. 

Thus, the electric field depends not only on the magnitude, but also on the angle between vector r and dipole vector p; thereby, the electric dipole will fall off from a large distance due to a single charge. Electrical potential is always a continuous process in space. The electrical field is not a constant process in the idealised surface charge, but it is not even infinite at any point. 

This chapter has covered the definition of potential energy and its relation to another electric potential, and the formula calculates the point charge with its electric potential derivation.