Electricity & Magnetism

Electric Potential

V=kQrV = k\frac{Q}{r}

Electric potential energy per unit charge.

Variables

V
Electric potential
Potential at point
In SI units: kg·m²/(A·s³)
V
k
Coulomb constant
8.99×10⁹
In SI units: kg·m³/(A²·s⁴)
Allowed values: greater than 0
N·m²/C²
Q
Source charge
Field-creating charge
In SI units: A·s
C
r
Distance
From source
Allowed values: greater than 0
m

Derivation

V = U/q = -∫E·dr. For point charge: V = kQ/r.

Your notes

0/5000

Constants in this formula

k
8.988 × 10⁹. Measured (from CODATA 2018 ε₀).
N·m²/C²

Check value

Round inputs run through this page's calculator, with each constant at its tabulated value. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.

  • k = 8.988 × 10⁹ N·m²/C² (Coulomb constant)
  • Q = 2 C (Source charge)
  • r = 3 m (Distance)

Result: V = 5.992 × 10⁹ V

Other electricity & magnetism formulas with the same quantities

Where this formula is listed

Common questions

What is the Electric Potential formula?

Electric Potential is written V = k(Q/r). Electric potential energy per unit charge. It belongs to Electricity & Magnetism, under Electrostatics.

What are the units in V = k(Q/r)?

In SI units, V is electric potential, measured in kg·m²/(A·s³); k is coulomb constant, measured in kg·m³/(A²·s⁴); Q is source charge, measured in A·s; r is distance, measured in m.

How is the Electric Potential formula derived?

V = U/q = -∫E·dr. For point charge: V = kQ/r. The result is V = k(Q/r).