Electric potential is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude but no direction.
The electric potential difference between two points is also known as voltage.
An equipotential surface is a surface on which all points have the same electric potential.
The relationship between electric potential (V) and electric field (E) is given by $E = -\nabla V$.
Electric potential due to a point charge \(Q\) at a distance \(r\) from the charge is given by \(V = \frac{Q}{4\pi \varepsilon_0 r}\).
Review Questions
What is the unit of measurement for electric potential?
Describe the relationship between electric field and electric potential.
How do you calculate the electric potential due to a point charge?
Related terms
Electric Field: A vector quantity that represents the force per unit charge exerted on a test charge at any point in space.
Voltage: The difference in electric potential between two points; also known as electric potential difference.
\(\varepsilon_0\) (Permittivity of Free Space): \(\varepsilon_0\) represents the ability of vacuum to permit electric field lines; its value is approximately \(8.854 \times 10^{-12} \, F/m\).