Very Short Question and Answers - Electric Potential and Potential Difference

Electric potential at a point is the amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point, without any acceleration.

The SI unit of electric potential is Volt (V).

Electric Potential (V) = Work done (W) / Charge (q), or V = W/q.

V = W/q = 10 J / 2 C = 5 V.

Potential difference between two points is the work done in moving a unit charge from one point to another against the electric field.

A voltmeter is used to measure potential difference.

A voltmeter should be connected in parallel to the component whose potential difference is to be measured.

It means 1 Joule of work is done for every 1 Coulomb of charge moved by the battery (for a 1.5V battery, 1 C gains 1.5 J of energy).

Potential difference (voltage) between two points drives electric current through a circuit.

Electric potential is like water pressure in a tank: higher pressure at the top (high potential), lower at the bottom (low potential), causing water (charge) to flow.

Potential difference (V) = Work done (W) / Charge (q) = 21 J / 3 C = 7 V.

Potential difference equals the work done per unit charge to move the charge between two points (V = W/q).

Just as moving a mass against gravity increases its potential energy, moving a charge against an electric field increases its electric potential.

The potential difference in Indian households is 220 V.

Batteries in devices like torch lights provide a potential difference to drive current.

If there is no potential difference, no electric current will flow through the wire.

By convention, the potential at infinity is taken as zero to provide a

Work done (W) = Potential difference (V) × Charge (q) = 12 V × 5 C = 60 J.

Because current flows due to the difference in potential between two points, and most practical effects in circuits depend on this difference, not on absolute potential values.

This means that for every 1 Coulomb of charge passing through the bulb, 6 Joules of energy are converted (into heat and light) in the bulb.