electric potential

American  

noun

1. Also called potential.  Electricity. (at any point in an electric field) the work done per unit charge in moving an infinitesimal point charge from a common reference point to the given point. V

2. Physiology. action potential.

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electric potential British  

noun

1. 1. the work required to transfer a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a given point against an electric field

   2.  V.   φ.  Sometimes shortened to: potential.  the potential difference between the point and some other reference point

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electric potential Scientific  

1. A measure of the work required by an electric field to move electric charges. Its unit is the volt.

2. Also called voltage

3. See more at Ohm's law

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Etymology

Origin of electric potential

First recorded in 1870–75

Compare meaning

How does electric-potential compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• electric field vs. electric potential

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electric potential

"The question we wanted to answer was how much potential it can produce, and how is electric potential influenced by the plant's biological clock?"

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2024

When plants draw water from their roots to nourish their stems and leaves, they produce an electric potential that could be harnessed as a renewable energy source.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2024

The zinc oxide material was chosen for its piezoelectric properties, which means that when it waves, bends, or deforms under motion, it generates electric potential.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2023

While we use blue arrows to represent the magnitude and direction of the electric field, we use green lines to represent places where the electric potential is constant.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

There is thus a more or less permanent or resting difference of electric potential between them.

From Response in the Living and Non-Living by Bose, Jagadis Chandra, Sir