Electric Potential


Electric Potential at a point in an electric field is the work done per unit charge by an external agent in bringing a positive test charge from infinity to that particular point without acceleration.

  • E-field lines always point from region of high potential(+) to regions of low potential (-)
  • Unit: Volts (V)

Various equations for electric potential:

$$V = \frac{W}{q}$$

, where

  • V is electric potential,
  • W is work/energy,
  • q is charge

$$V = \frac{Q}{4 \pi \epsilon_{o} r}$$

, where

  • V is electric potential,
  • Q is charge,
  • r is distance from the charge

$V = Er$

, where

  • V is electric potential,
  • E is electric field,
  • r is distance from the charge

Electric potential of a positive charge decreases with increasing r.

Electric potential of a negative charge increases with increasing r.


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