Electric Potential

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Electrostatic Potential Energy Noun

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[uh-lek-tro-stat-ik puh-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Electrostatic Potential Energy

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The potential energy stored within a system of stationary electric charges due to their relative positions and interactions.

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Example: This diagram shows electrons in different energy shells. An electron's electrostatic potential energy depends on its distance (shell) from the positively charged nucleus.

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Electric Force Noun

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[uh-lek-trik fawrs]

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Electric Force

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The attractive or repulsive force that exists between electrically charged particles, which is fundamental to electromagnetic interactions.

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Example: This image shows that electric force causes oppositely charged particles to attract and similarly charged particles to repel each other.

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Kinetic Energy Noun

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[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

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Kinetic Energy

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The energy an object possesses due to its motion, which increases with the object's mass and speed.

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Example: This image shows the mathematical formula for kinetic energy, where energy (E_k) is calculated from an object's mass (m) and its velocity (v).

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Capacitor Noun

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[kuh-pas-i-ter]

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Capacitor

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An electronic component used to store electrical energy in an electric field, typically consisting of two conductive plates.

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Example: A capacitor consists of two conductive metal plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric, allowing it to store electrical energy.

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Electric Potential Noun

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[uh-lek-trik puh-ten-shuhl]

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Electric Potential

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The amount of work needed to move a unit of positive charge from a reference point to a specific point.

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Example: Pushing a boulder uphill requires work and gives it potential energy. Similarly, work is needed to move a charge against an electric field, giving it electric potential.

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Electric Potential Field Noun

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[uh-lek-trik puh-ten-shuhl feeld]

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Electric Potential Field

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A scalar field representing the electric potential at every point in space, describing the energy per unit charge.

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Example: A positive charge has high potential energy near other positive charges and will move towards negative charges, an area of low potential energy, creating an electric field.

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Test Charge Noun

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[test chahrj]

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Test Charge

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A hypothetical charge with a very small magnitude used to map the strength and direction of an electric field.

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Example: A positive test charge moves from an area of high potential energy (near positive charges) to low potential energy (near negative charges), showing its use in mapping an electric field.

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Scalar Noun

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[skay-ler]

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Scalar

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A physical quantity that is fully described by its magnitude alone and has no associated direction in space.

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Example: This image shows a scalar quantity ("5 Meters Long") has only a magnitude, while a vector quantity ("5 Meters East") has both magnitude and direction.

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Volt (V) Noun

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[vohlt]

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Volt (V)

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The standard unit of electric potential and potential difference, defined as one joule of energy per coulomb of charge.

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Example: Voltage is the electrical 'push' from a source, like a battery, that causes free electrons in a conductor to move in an organized direction.

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Point Charge Noun

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[point chahrj]

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Point Charge

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An idealized model of an electric charge that is concentrated at a single point in space with no dimensions.

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Example: A positive point charge creates an electric field that points away from it, while a negative point charge creates a field that points toward it.