Electricity & Magnetism
Electric Potential
Electric potential energy per unit charge.
Variables
VV
Electric potential
Potential at point
In SI units: kg·m²/(A·s³)
kN·m²/C²
Coulomb constant
8.99×10⁹
In SI units: kg·m³/(A²·s⁴)
Allowed values: greater than 0
QC
Source charge
Field-creating charge
In SI units: A·s
rm
Distance
From source
Allowed values: greater than 0
Derivation
V = U/q = -∫E·dr. For point charge: V = kQ/r.
Your notes
0/5000
Constants in this formula
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
- Coulomb's Law (Electrostatics) shares Coulomb constant, Distance
- Electric Dipole Field (Axial) (Electrostatics) shares Coulomb constant, Distance
Where this formula is listed
- Electricity & Magnetism formulas, under Electrostatics, alongside Uniform Electric Field, Gauss's Law, Electric Dipole Moment and Electric Flux.
- In the electricity & magnetism list it comes after Electric Field and before Electric Potential Energy.
- Electricity & Magnetism formula sheet, one of 48 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
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).
