Question

What is electric potential? Write its formula and unit.

Answer 1

Electric Potential:

In fig it is shown that in electric field due to a configuration of charges, the work done in carrying a test charge (q₀) from point A to B, depends only upon the distance between A and B not on the path adopted.

“Electric potential is the factor which decides the direction of flow of electric charge.”
It is scalar quantity and it is denoted by V. As liquids flow from higher gravitation level to the lower level; heat flows from higher temperature to the lower temperature, similarly charge (positive) flows from higher electric potential to the lower potential. Negative charge flows from lower electric potential to the higher potential.

If V_A and V_B be the electric potentials at points A and B respectively, then the potential difference between points A and B is given below,
V_B – V_A = \(\frac{W_{A B}}{q_{0}}\) ……………… (1)
Where, W_AB is the work done in carrying test charge + q₀ from A to B.
Here we assume that in this process, the test charge does not disturb the source of field, i.e., all the charges remain at their position. If for a displacement, the change in potential energy is U_B - U_A, then the potential difference between the points A and B can be given as

If q₀ = +1C, then V_B – V_A = W_AB