Voltage difference and potential energy help

AI Thread Summary
Potential difference and voltage difference are distinct concepts in physics. Voltage refers to the work done per unit charge by an electric field when moving a positive test charge between two points, while potential difference relates to the overall work done in changing the potential energy of a charge. Although they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, potential and voltage are not the same; potential difference specifically measures the difference in electric potential between two points. The discussion also clarifies that voltage does not necessarily require an electric field, as it can be applied in circuit schematics. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping concepts in electrostatics and circuits.
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Homework Statement


I'm really confused when it comes to distinguishing the potential difference and the voltage difference between the two oppositely charged plates. Could someone help clear things up? Like is the potential difference the work done in terms of the potential energy change when we move from the positive to the negative plate? For example, I read that the potential difference is the work done on a charge while the voltage difference is the work done per charge..what's the difference?

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is your question what is the difference between voltage and the electric potential function (also notated as V in most texts)? Voltage and electric potential/scalar potential are two completely different things. Voltage is, what you said, the work per unit charge done by the electric field when a positive test charge is moved from point A to point B on a given path. Electric potential formula is: [Q / (4*pi*permittivity of free space constant*R)]. Let me know if this helps...
 


satchmo05 said:
is your question what is the difference between voltage and the electric potential function (also notated as V in most texts)? Voltage and electric potential/scalar potential are two completely different things. Voltage is, what you said, the work per unit charge done by the electric field when a positive test charge is moved from point A to point B on a given path. Electric potential formula is: [Q / (4*pi*permittivity of free space constant*R)]. Let me know if this helps...

yes I'm not sure what is the difference between the two because they seem like they're the same thing...which i know they're not..but like is there a specific difference between the two? do they both go against the electric field? do they both involve the potential energy?
 


what do you mean by voltage "going against the electric field"? Voltage doesn't necessarily have to do anything with the E-field. Think about a circuit schematic. No E-field required.

I suppose though, electrically speaking, potential and voltage are the same thing. However, potential and potential difference are NOT the same thing. Think about the temperature and the temperature difference, for example -> not equivalent. But if you're talking about the potential function, go back to my last post. Does this help?
 


satchmo05 said:
what do you mean by voltage "going against the electric field"? Voltage doesn't necessarily have to do anything with the E-field. Think about a circuit schematic. No E-field required.

I suppose though, electrically speaking, potential and voltage are the same thing. However, potential and potential difference are NOT the same thing. Think about the temperature and the temperature difference, for example -> not equivalent. But if you're talking about the potential function, go back to my last post. Does this help?

yes it does thanks!
 


Not a problem!
 

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