Electric field and electric potential

In summary, the conversation discusses the difference between electric field and electric potential, with electric field being a vector and electric potential being a scalar. The gradient of electric potential can give us the electric field, but the question arises of which space can be used to describe both quantities. It is clarified that both electric field and electric potential have open subsets of ##\mathbb{R}^{3}## as their domains, but their codomains differ. The individual asking the question is asked to rephrase their question in a more specific manner. The conversation ends with a random comment about a photograph.
  • #1
wasi-uz-zaman
89
1
hi, electric filed is a vector and electric potential is scalar. Gradient of electric potential give us electric filed - please explain by which space we can describe both quantities.
thanks
 
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  • #2
They are different ways of describing the same thing - what do you mean by "explain by which space we can describe both quantities"?
 
  • #3
i mean electric field needs vector space -so what do we do for electric potential as it is scalar.
 
  • #4
Both their domains are open subsets of ##\mathbb{R}^{3}##; only their codomains differ.
 
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  • #5
Can you rephrase your question in a more careful way?
 
  • #6
Jorriss said:
Can you rephrase your question in a more careful way?
Nothing to do with physics but...
That photograph is not you, is it ?!
 

FAQ: Electric field and electric potential

What is an electric field?

An electric field is a region in space where an electric force is exerted on charged particles. It is created by electric charges and is defined as the force per unit charge at a given point.

How is an electric field calculated?

The electric field at a point is calculated by dividing the force exerted on a test charge by the magnitude of the test charge. It is also dependent on the distance between the point and the source charge, as well as the direction of the force.

What is electric potential?

Electric potential, also known as voltage, is a measure of the potential energy of a charged particle at a given point in an electric field. It is defined as the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge from a reference point to a specific point in the electric field.

How is electric potential different from electric field?

While electric field is a measure of the force exerted on a charged particle, electric potential is a measure of the potential energy of a charged particle. Electric potential is a scalar quantity and is dependent on the distance from the source charge, while electric field is a vector quantity and is dependent on both the distance and direction from the source charge.

What is the relationship between electric field and electric potential?

Electric field and electric potential are closely related, as electric field is the negative gradient of electric potential. This means that the direction of the electric field is in the direction of decreasing electric potential. In other words, electric potential determines the direction and strength of the electric field at a given point.

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