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Electricity & Magnetism
Electricity & Magnetism

Electric Potential

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

Electric potential energy per unit charge.

Variables

V
Electric potential
Potential at point
V
k
Coulomb constant
8.99×10⁹
N·m²/C²
Q
Source charge
Field-creating charge
C
r
Distance
From source
m

Derivation

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

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Common questions

What is the Electric Potential formula?

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

What are the units in V = kQ/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 = kQ/r.