Electrostatic potential, also known as electric potential, is a measure of the electrical potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field.
Electrostatic potential is calculated by dividing the electric potential energy by the charge at a specific point in an electric field. It is represented by the symbol V and is measured in units of volts (V).
While both electrostatic potential and electric field are related to the presence of electric charges, they are different concepts. Electric field is a measure of the force that a charge experiences in an electric field, while electrostatic potential is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field.
Electrostatic potential is directly proportional to the distance from a point charge. This means that as the distance increases, the electrostatic potential decreases. This is because the electric field strength decreases with distance, resulting in a lower potential energy per unit charge.
Electrostatic potential plays a role in many everyday technologies, such as electric circuits, capacitors, and batteries. It is also important in understanding the behavior of lightning and the functioning of various electronic devices, such as televisions and computer screens.