Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Electric potential difference refers to the change in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points in an electric field. It represents the work done on a positive test charge to move it from one point to another.
Related terms
Electric Fields: Electric fields are regions around charged objects where they exert forces on other charged objects. They determine the direction and strength of the electric force experienced by a test charge.
Electric potential is the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field. It represents how much work is required to bring a positive test charge from infinity to that point.
Voltage: Voltage is another term for electric potential difference. It measures the electrical pressure or push that causes charges to flow in an electrical circuit.