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differentiate between electric potential and potential difference/?//

Electric potential: Electric potential at a point P is equal to the change in electric potential energy per unit test charge when it is moved from a reference point to the point P. It can also be defined as the work done per unit test charge from the reference point to the point P (provided the kinetic energy of the test charge is not changed).

V = kQ / r

Unit is Nm/C Electric potential is used mostly in the study of electrostatics.

 

Potential difference: Potential difference between two points is defined as the amount of work done in moving a unit positive charge from one point to another. Potential difference between two points is also equal to the product of the electric field and the distance between the two points.

V = E.d

It is measured in Voltage or simply volt (V).

Potential difference is mostly used in the study of current electricity.

 

Both electric potential and potential difference can be expressed in V and Nm/C.

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Electric potential of a point in an electric field is defined as the work done by an external agency on a test charge in moving it from infinity to that point on the field.

 

Suppose we know the electric potential of two such points in the electric field. The difference in electric potential between these two points is called potential difference.

 

Electric potential and potential difference have same unit, Volt.

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Electric potential of a point in an electric field is defined as the work done by an external agency on a test charge in moving it from infinity to that point on the field.

 

Suppose we know the electric potential of two such points in the electric field. The difference in electric potential between these two points is called potential difference.

 

Electric potential and potential difference have same unit, Volt.

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We know, positive charges repel each other. Suppose there is a positive charge +Q at point A. Some work has to be done to bring another positive charge, say +q, against the repulsive force of +Q, say at point B.Let the distance between A and B be r.

If the charge +q is brought from infinity to point B, the work done in bringing this charge is called the electric potential.

If the charge is moved around from point B to C, the work done in moving it from B to C is the potential difference.

Also, you can look at it this way, Potential difference = [work done in bringing the charge from infinity to point C]-[work done in bringing the charge from infinity to point B]

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