Difference Between Electric Potential and Electric Potential Difference
Electric Potential |
Potential Difference |
---|---|
Electric potential is the work done per unit charge to bring the charge from infinity to a point in an electric field. | Potential difference is the difference between the potentials between two points in the electric field. |
Electric potential is defined at a point. | Potential difference is defined between two points in electric field. |
The unit of electric potential is volts. | The unit of potential difference is volts. |
Electric potential is a scalar quantity. | Potential difference is also a scalar quantity. |
Electric Potential is taken as zero at infinity. | There is no as such concept for potential difference. |
Used to understand the distribution of electric potential energy in a field and how charges will move in response. |
Describes the energy per unit charge available to a charge as it moves through an electric field. |
It is mathematically expressed as V = U/q, where V is electric potential, U is electric potential energy, and q is the test charge. |
Mathematically expressed as ΔV = W/q, where ΔV is potential difference, W is the work done, and q is the charge. |
The electric potential at a point is independent of the path taken by the charge to reach that point. |
The potential difference between two points is also independent of the path taken by the charge between those points. |
Difference Between Electric Potential and Potential Difference
The flow of electric charges is known as electricity, and it is responsible for producing electric current. An important word associated with electricity is electric potential. A potential difference is required to create the flow of electrons and hence, produce electricity. Before understanding the difference between electric potential and potential difference, let’s first understand the electric potential and potential difference in detail.