Question

define electrical potential

Answer 1

Electric potential can be defined as the energy required to move a unit positive charge from infinity to a point of consideration in an electric field. V= kq\r

Answer 2

The electrical potential or electrostatic potential at a point is the work that an electrostatic field must perform to move a positive charge from that point to the reference point, 1 divided by unit of test load. In other words, it is the work that must be performed by an external force to bring a unit positive charge q from the reference point to the point considered against the electric force at constant speed. Mathematically it is expressed by:

V = w/q


The electric potential can only be defined univocally for a static field produced by charges occupying a finite region of space. since the electric field disturbances can not propagate faster than the speed of light.

If the loads are considered to be outside that field, the load does not have energy and the electrical potential equals the work required to carry the load from the outside of the field to the point considered. The unit of the International System is the volt (V).

All points in an electric field having the same potential form an equipotential surface. An alternative way of looking at electrical potential is that unlike electrical or electrostatic potential energy, it characterizes only one region of space without taking into account the load placed there.