Electric potential - Assignment Example

Electric Potential An electric potential, also referred to as the electrostatic potential or electric field potential is the amount of electrical energy that a point charge would possess if locate in a space. According to (Holbrow, Charles 144), a single unit of electric potential is equivalent to the work done by a field of electricity in bringing a single positive charge to a given point from the infinity. Theoretically, electric potential is denoted by ΦE, Φ (Phi), or volts (V). In this case, one volt is equivalent to the electric energy (measured in joule) possessed by the particle divided by the quantity of charge stored in the particle.

Therefore, Electric potential (V) = electric energy (joules) Amount of charge (coulombs) Thus, 1 volt = joules (J) = J/C or JC-1 and thus, the SI unit of electric potential is JC-1 Coulombs (c)Electric potential due to a point chargeThe electric potential difference (V) due to a point charge (Q), positioned at distance r from the position of the charge can be calculated as follow;In this case, ε0 is the permittivity of vacuum commonly known as the electric constant or the Coulomb potential.

When a system of more than one charges are in consideration, the electric potential due to the point charges is equal to the sum of potential difference due to the system of charges, (Holbrow, Charles 193)Graphs of Electric PotentialSeveral experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the concept of electric potential. The most successful and popular experiments are those that involve the potential difference, electric current and the resistance. In this case, a straight line graph is produced.

On the other hand, graphs involving electric charges are to a large extent hypothetical. Work CitedHolbrow, Charles H. Modern Introductory Physics. 2nd ed. New York: Springer, 2010. Print