Electric potential
- The electric potential at a point is defined as:
The work done per unit charge in taking a small positive test charge from infinity to a defined point
- Electric potential is measured in J C−1 or V
- It is a scalar quantity but has a positive or negative sign to indicate the sign of the charge
- In a similar way to gravitational potential, electric potential also has a value of zero at infinity
- The electric potential at a point depends on:
- the magnitude of the point charge
- the distance between the charge and the point
Electric potential for a positive charge
- Around an isolated positive charge, electric potential:
- has a positive value
- increases when a test charge moves closer
- decreases when a test charge moves away
For a positive charge, the electric potential decreases in the direction a positive test charge would move in due to the electrostatic repulsion
Electric potential for a negative charge
- Around an isolated negative charge, electric potential:
- has a negative value
- decreases when a test charge moves closer
- increases when a test charge moves away
For a negative charge, the electric potential decreases in the direction a positive test charge would move in due to the electrostatic attraction
Examiner Tip
One way to remember whether the electric potential increases or decreases with respect to the distance from the charge is by the direction of the electric field lines. The potential always decreases in the same direction as the field lines and vice versa.