The unit of electric potential is the volt (V), which is equivalent to one joule per coulomb (J/C).
Electric potential difference between two points is often referred to as voltage.
The electric potential at a point due to a point charge $q$ can be calculated using $V = \frac{kq}{r}$, where $k$ is Coulomb's constant and $r$ is the distance from the charge.
Equipotential surfaces are surfaces where the electric potential is constant; no work is done when moving a charge along these surfaces.
Review Questions
What is the relationship between electric potential and electric potential energy?
How would you calculate the electric potential at a distance $r$ from a point charge $q$?
Explain why no work is done when moving a charge along an equipotential surface.
A region around a charged particle where a force would be exerted on other charges; it is represented by vectors and measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C).