Define electric potential. How is it related to the electric field?
Question
Define electric potential. How is it related to the electric field?
Solution
Electric potential, also known as electric potential energy, is a scalar quantity used to describe how much work is done to move a positive test charge from infinity to a specific point in an electric field. It is measured in joules per coulomb, or volts.
The relationship between electric potential (V) and electric field (E) is given by the equation:
E = -dV/dr
where dV is the change in electric potential and dr is the change in the position vector. This equation tells us that the electric field is the negative gradient of the electric potential. In other words, the electric field points in the direction of the steepest descent of the electric potential.
This relationship is important because it allows us to calculate the electric field if we know the electric potential, and vice versa.
Similar Questions
Which of the following options is the correct expression for the relationship between electric field and electric potential?
Briefly define the following terms: electric potential, electrical power
Electric Potential is the electric potential energy per unit charge.Group of answer choicesTrueFalse
Electric potential is Responses another name for electric potential energy. another name for electric potential energy. the amount of electrical energy. the amount of electrical energy. the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge.
Define ‘electrostatic potential energy’.
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.