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Electric Potential, and Potential Difference
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[QUOTE="Andrew Mason, post: 4506775, member: 15795"] The potential difference of point a relative to point b, is determined by the force that the electric field exerts on a unit positive charge multiplied by the distance from a to b x the cosine of the angle between the direction of force and the distance. If you know calculus: [tex]V = \int_a^b \vec{E}\cdot d\vec{s}[/tex]. The potential energy of a charge at a given point in an electric field has no meaning by itself. It only has meaning in reference to another point. So the only thing that matters is the potential difference. You can arbitrarily set one point at 0 if you like. In order to determine the sign of the potential difference you have to use the force on a positive charge. So, for example, if the field pushes a positive charge from a to b the potential difference from a to b is positive. If you have to push the positive charge from a to b, the potential difference will be negative. AM [/QUOTE]
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Electric Potential, and Potential Difference
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