Electric Potential Difference

Definition

Electric potential difference, also known as voltage, is the potential energy difference between two points in an electric field. It represents the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge between those two points and is a fundamental concept in understanding the behavior of electric fields and circuits.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electric potential difference is measured in volts (V), which is the same unit as energy per unit charge.
2. The electric potential difference between two points is equal to the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge between those points.
3. In a uniform electric field, the electric potential difference between two points is proportional to the distance between them and the strength of the electric field.
4. The electric potential difference is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude but no direction, unlike the electric field, which is a vector quantity.
5. The electric potential difference is a fundamental concept in understanding the behavior of electric circuits, as it drives the flow of electric current.

Review Questions

• Explain how the electric potential difference is related to the work done in moving a test charge within an electric field.
  • The electric potential difference between two points in an electric field is equal to the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge between those two points. This work is done by the electric field, which exerts a force on the test charge. The potential energy of the test charge changes as it moves, and the difference in potential energy between the two points is the electric potential difference, measured in volts.
• Describe the relationship between electric potential difference and the strength of the electric field in a uniform electric field.
  • In a uniform electric field, the electric potential difference between two points is directly proportional to the distance between those points and the strength of the electric field. Specifically, the electric potential difference is equal to the product of the electric field strength and the distance between the two points. This means that as the distance between the points increases or the electric field strength increases, the electric potential difference will also increase proportionally.
• Analyze the role of electric potential difference in the behavior of electric circuits and the flow of electric current.
  • Electric potential difference, or voltage, is a fundamental concept in understanding the behavior of electric circuits and the flow of electric current. The potential difference between two points in a circuit drives the movement of electric charges, or current, through the circuit. This potential difference is what causes charges to flow from a region of higher potential to a region of lower potential, analogous to water flowing from a higher elevation to a lower elevation due to gravitational potential energy differences. The magnitude of the potential difference determines the amount of work that can be done per unit charge, which in turn affects the rate of current flow and the overall behavior of the circuit.

Related terms

Electric Potential:

The potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electric field, which represents the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge from infinity to that point.

Electric Field:

The vector field that describes the force exerted on a test charge by an electric charge or charges at a given point in space.

Potential Energy:

The energy possessed by an object due to its position in a field of force, such as an electric or gravitational field.