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Electric potential is like electric potential energy, except electric potential energy requires that you have at least two charged particles: one charged particle (can be considered to be stationary) to produce the electric field and another charged particle to be affected by that electric field.
If both charged particles are positively charged, then when you move the nonstationary charged particle closer to the stationary charged particle, potential energy of the system increases, because the charged particles naturally want to repel.
However, let's say you remove that nonstationary charged particle and are left with just the single charged particle. There is no more potential energy in the system, because there is no other charged particle to be acted upon by the electric field. However, the single charged particle still emits an electric field. This field is what creates "electric potential." Even though there is no second particle in the system, if you were to place a second particle into the system (let's call it a test particle), its potential energy would be equal to the electric potential multiplied by the charge of the test particle.
U = kq1q2/r (electric potential energy with 2 charges, where the 0 of potential energy is infinitely far away)
V = kq1/r (electric potential requiring only 1 charge)
V = U/q2 (electric potential is potential energy without the second charge)
U = Vq2 (electric potential energy is electric potential multiplied by second charge)
There is also a concept called gravitational potential, where it's gravitational potential energy divided by the test mass.
It can be a negatively charged particle. In that case, electric potential decreases as you get closer to the negatively charged particle. Even though electric potential decreases, if you have two negatively charged particles, electric potential energy increases as you move the 2nd negative charge closer to the first charge. This is because multiplying 2 negative charges makes a positive:
U = k(-q1)*(-q2)/r = kq1q2/r (assuming q1 and q2 are the charge magnitudes)
So in this case, it's a little weird because that's how the math works. Nature has a tendency to reduce potential energy, but potential is different and doesn't work the same way.
However if the test charge was positive, the sign of electric potential energy will be the same as electric potential with respect to location.
V = k(-q1)/r = -kq1/r
U = k(-q1)(q2)/r = -kq1q2/r
Potential energy is not the same as potential! They are related, but don't get them confused. Energy is measured in Joules. Potential is measured in Volts. Completely different units.
Volts = Number of Joules / Number of Coulombs.
Electric Potential = Electric Potential Energy / Charge of Test Particle
What else can I help you with?
What does the word GPE stand for?
Original Answer (Physics): Gravitational Potential Energy -------------------- Electrical Answer: If this is electrically related, perhaps you mean GFPE which means Ground Fault Protection for Equipment.
What do you mean by electrical engineer practitioner?
One who practises the profession of electrical engineering. An electrical engineer.
What type of energy is a wall socket?
Electrical energy comes out of a wall socket.
What you measure voltage into?
You measure voltage using a voltmeter which involves measuring the electrical potential difference between 2 points in an electrical circuit.
A brief change in electrical voltage in the neuron in response to stimulation is called what?
an action potential
In which ways is a water circuit similar to an electrical circuit?
Water always flow from height to bottom mean high potential level to low potential level same happens in electrical circuit.
What is another term for electrical potential?
Another term for electrical potential is voltage.
What are synonyms for voltage?
"voltage", "electrical potential difference", and "electric tension" -- they all mean the same thing.
Which unit is used when measuring electrical potential?
The most common unit of electrical potential is the Volt (V)
Why electric field is zero when electrical potential is constant?
When the electric field is zero, it means there is no change in electrical potential across the field. In other words, the equipotential surfaces are parallel, indicating a constant electrical potential. This relationship arises from the fact that the electric field is the negative gradient of the electrical potential.
What is electrical energy to potential energy in real life?
In real life, electrical energy can be converted into potential energy when a battery charges up by storing electrical energy as chemical potential energy. When the battery is connected to a circuit, this stored potential energy is converted back into electrical energy to power devices.
What creates voltage in an electrical circuit?
Voltage in an electrical circuit is created by the difference in electric potential between two points, which causes the flow of electrons from a higher potential to a lower potential, generating an electrical current.
What is the relations between electrical field and electrical potential?
The electrical field is the force per unit charge experienced by a charged particle in an electric field. The electrical potential, or voltage, is the energy per unit charge required to move a charged particle between two points in an electric field. The relationship between them is that the electric field is the negative gradient of the electrical potential.
What is the amount and kind of electrical potential of an object?
The amount of electrical potential of an object is measured in volts, commonly referred to as voltage. The kind of electrical potential an object has can be either positive or negative, depending on whether it has an excess or a deficiency of electrons.
What is the unit of electrical potential?
The unit of electrical potential is the volt (V). It represents the amount of potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric circuit.
Does a battery contain chemical energy?
Yes, a battery contains chemical energy stored in the chemicals used in its construction. When the battery is connected in a circuit, a chemical reaction occurs, releasing this stored energy in the form of electrical power.
Do charges in an electric circuit flow because of a difference in electrical potential energy?
Yes, charges in an electric circuit flow from areas of higher electrical potential energy to areas of lower electrical potential energy. This creates a potential difference that drives the flow of charges through the circuit.
