Electric Potential Calculator
Calculate the electrostatic potential created by a point charge at a specific distance.
What is Electric Potential?
Electric potential, often measured in Volts (V), represents the amount of work energy needed to move a unit of electric charge from a reference point (usually infinity) to a specific point in an electric field. Unlike electric field strength, which is a vector, electric potential is a scalar quantity.
The Electric Potential Formula
The potential (V) created by a point charge (Q) at a distance (r) is calculated using the following formula:
V = (k × Q) / r
Where:
- V: Electric Potential in Volts (V).
- k: Coulomb's Constant (approximately 8.987 × 10⁹ N·m²/C² in a vacuum).
- Q: The magnitude of the point charge in Coulombs (C).
- r: The radial distance from the charge in meters (m).
Relative Permittivity and Mediums
The value of 'k' changes depending on the material surrounding the charge. In a vacuum or air, the permittivity is at its lowest. In materials like water or glass, the relative permittivity (dielectric constant) reduces the electric potential. Our calculator accounts for this by dividing the vacuum constant by the relative permittivity of the selected medium.
Practical Example
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Charge (Q) | 10 μC (10 × 10⁻⁶ C) |
| Distance (r) | 2 Meters |
| Medium | Vacuum |
| Resulting Potential | 44,937.75 Volts |
Importance in Physics
Understanding electric potential is crucial for designing capacitors, understanding battery operation, and studying lightning phenomena. It allows engineers to predict how much energy can be stored or transmitted through electrical systems.