Electrical Potential for Uniform Force Fields

As discussed in "Electrical Potential Energy in a Uniform Force Field", there are difficulties determining where the highest potential energy is in the field because the highest potential energy is determined not only by location in the field but also by the charge. To simplify this issue (as well as other issues) the electrical potential is defined as the electrical potential energy divided by the charge. In this way the electrical potential will only be determined by the location in the electrical field. (Yes, you must distinguish between the electrical potential and the electrical potential energy. In a way the electrical potential, is the potential to have potential energy, if a charge was present) The word Voltage is a common misnomer for the correct word, electrical potential. Using the word Voltage is like using the word meterage for distance. This misnomer is so common that it is often accepted outside of the correct physics context.

V=EE/q

Symbol

Description

Units

V

the electrical potential

V (Volts)

EE

the electrical potential energy

J

q

Electric charge

C


1.6 x 10**-19 C x 1 V = 1.6 x 10**-19 J


Since we know that W=DEEP=Eqd in a uniform electrical field, then we can sub in

V=EE/q

V=eqd/q

V=ed

Symbol
Description
Units
V
the electrical potential
V (Volts)
e

the electrical field strength

N/C

d
distance
m

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