What is electric potential measured in?

Enhance your skills for the USAP Science Exam. Access a wide array of multiple-choice questions featuring detailed explanations and hints. Master the concepts and prepare effectively for your science exam!

Multiple Choice

What is electric potential measured in?

Explanation:
Electric potential is a measure of energy per unit charge, and the unit used for this quantity is the volt (symbol V). One volt equals one joule per coulomb (1 V = 1 J/C). That means if a point in an electric field has a potential of 1 volt, a test charge of 1 coulomb at that point would be associated with 1 joule of energy. The other quantities don’t describe energy per unit charge: joules are energy, coulombs are charge, and newtons are force. So volts correctly express electric potential.

Electric potential is a measure of energy per unit charge, and the unit used for this quantity is the volt (symbol V). One volt equals one joule per coulomb (1 V = 1 J/C). That means if a point in an electric field has a potential of 1 volt, a test charge of 1 coulomb at that point would be associated with 1 joule of energy. The other quantities don’t describe energy per unit charge: joules are energy, coulombs are charge, and newtons are force. So volts correctly express electric potential.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy