Is Electric Potential Simply a Measure of Volts Per Unit Charge?

[square_imp]

Can someone just confirm the following:

Change in potential energy of a charge, for example caused by moving two negative charges together is equal to the work done:

Work done = Force x Distance

= -qE * ∆X (Where E is electric field strength)

= -qE∆X

= -q∆V

Which therefore is a different quantity to the electric potential we know as simply Volts, which is (Work Done)/(q). I am fine actually using these different values in equations and the like, I would just like more information about what it all means. Is electric potential (Volts) simply a measure of Volts per unit charge? Or is it more complex than that? Probably a silly question really, but just like to be clear about these things.

 

[quantumdude]

Is electric potential (Volts) simply a measure of Volts per unit charge?

Exactly. The units also bear this out: 1V=1 J/C.

Or is it more complex than that? Probably a silly question really, but just like to be clear about these things.

I think the thing you are missing is that "electric potential" and "electric potential energy" are two different things, and they must not be interchanged. The former is measured in volts, and the latter is measured in Joules.

 

[quicknote]

Yes, you are correct. The change in potential energy of a charge is equal to the work done on the charge. This is because potential energy is defined as the energy an object has due to its position or configuration. In the case of electric charges, this potential energy is due to their interaction with an electric field.

The value of potential energy is dependent on the strength of the electric field (E) and the distance (∆X) between the charges. As you have shown, the work done on the charge can be calculated by multiplying the force (qE) by the distance (∆X).

Electric potential, or voltage (measured in Volts), is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge. It is a way of quantifying the strength of the electric field at a specific point. This is why we often use the equation ∆V = -q∆V, as it relates the change in potential energy to the charge of the object.

So to answer your question, yes, electric potential is a measure of Volts per unit charge. It is a way of expressing the strength of the electric field at a specific point, taking into account the charge of the object. I hope this helps clarify the concept for you.