Electrical Potential Energy and Electric Potential

In summary, electrical potential energy is the amount of energy a charge possesses, measured in Joules, while electric potential is the energy of 1 coulomb of charge, measured in joules per coulomb. This distinction is similar to that between gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential.
  • #1
Haynes Kwon
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Hi.

Getting straight to the point, what is the difference between electrical potential energy and electric potential?
Please be as specific as you can.

Thank you.
 
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  • #3
Haynes Kwon said:
Hi.

Getting straight to the point, what is the difference between electrical potential energy and electric potential?
Please be as specific as you can.

Thank you.
Electric potential energy relates to the electrical potential energy of an amount of charge...units are Joules
Electric potential is the electrical potential energy of unit charge (1 coulomb) units are joules per coulomb
In the same way gravitational potential energy refers to the gravitational energy of an object whereas gravitational potential refers to the potential energy of 1kg...difference is very subtle but important
 
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FAQ: Electrical Potential Energy and Electric Potential

What is electrical potential energy?

Electrical potential energy is the stored energy that an object possesses due to its position in an electric field. It is created by the separation of positive and negative charges, and can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, when the charges are allowed to move.

How is electrical potential energy related to electric potential?

Electric potential is the amount of potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electric field. In other words, it is the amount of work that would be required to move a unit charge from infinity to that point. Therefore, the greater the electric potential, the greater the electrical potential energy of an object placed at that point.

What is the unit of measurement for electric potential?

The unit of measurement for electric potential is volts (V). It is named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta, who invented the first battery.

How is electric potential calculated?

Electric potential is calculated by dividing the electrical potential energy by the amount of charge. In mathematical terms, it is written as V = U/q, where V is electric potential, U is electrical potential energy, and q is the amount of charge.

What factors affect electric potential energy?

The two main factors that affect electric potential energy are the amount of charge and the distance between the charges. As the amount of charge increases, the electric potential energy also increases. On the other hand, as the distance between the charges increases, the electric potential energy decreases.

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