Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential?

[S.R]

Homework Statement

What's the difference between electric potential energy and electric potential?

Can someone explain these concepts, simply? I don't understand any definitions I've found on the internet. Any help would be appreciated.

Homework Equations

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The Attempt at a Solution

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[SammyS]

Homework Statement

What's the difference between electric potential energy and electric potential?

Can someone explain these concepts, simply? I don't understand any definitions I've found on the Internet. Any help would be appreciated.

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

N/A

This is not a coursework question.

Hello S.R. Welcome to PF.

electric potential energy is Potential Energy due to an electric field. It is usually applied to a particle or system of particles.

electric potential is a somewhat different concept. It can be defined as the Potential Energy per unit charge for a charged particle due Electric Field. In other words, it's the electric potential energy at a particular location that a particle with a unit charge would have.

Those are off the top of my head, so I hope my head's on straight tonight.

 

[S.R]

Hello S.R. Welcome to PF.

electric potential energy is Potential Energy due to an electric field. It is usually applied to a particle or system of particles.

electric potential is a somewhat different concept. It can be defined as the Potential Energy per unit charge for a charged particle due Electric Field. In other words, it's the electric potential energy at a particular location that a particle with a unit charge would have.

Those are off the top of my head, so I hope my head's on straight tonight.

Thanks, Sammy. Is electric potential referred to as voltage?

 

[SammyS]

Thanks, Sammy. Is electric potential referred to as voltage?

It often is referred to as voltage in electric circuits.

 

[technician]

I go along with SammyS. The unit of potential is JOULE per COULOMB and the unit of potential energy is JOULE.
Potential refers to a region of space if you like and potential energy refers to a charge brought into the space.
There is a direct analogy with gravitation.
The unit of gravitational potential is JOULE per kg
The unit of gravitational potential energy is JOULE
Hope this helps