BRAINCAKEElectric Potential
The electric potential V at a point is the work done per unit charge in bringing a small positive test charge from infinity to that point. It is measured in volts, where 1 V = 1 J C-1, and the potential at infinity is defined as zero.
For an isolated point charge Q, the potential at a distance r is V = Q/(4πε0r). Unlike gravitational potential, electric potential can be positive or negative. It is positive near a positive charge, because work must be done to push a positive charge towards it, and negative near a negative charge.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
Key terms in this lesson
- electric field
- A region of space in which a charged object experiences a force due to the presence of another charge.
- point charge
- A hypothetical charged object of negligible size, whose electric field is radial.
More in Electric Fields
- Van de Graaf generator
- Electric Potential
- Equipotentials
- Potential gradient
- The Force between Two Charged Objects
- Coulombs Law
- Point Charges
- Electric Field Strength
All 17 lessons in Electric Fields · All OCR A-level Physics topics