Differences between Electric Potential and Potential Difference

In the daily life, we are using the electricity in different ways from small appliances to the large appliances. All the gadgets have their own voltages. Have you ever wondered what voltage is and how is it measured. The electricity is measured using different parameters. Potential difference is also a parameter. So, in this article, we are going to learn about what are the factors that differentiating electric potential and potential difference.

Electric Potential

The electric potential can be defined as the total work energy required displacing or moving a unit of electric charge from a point. The unit of electric potential is volts. The electric potential can also be defined as work done to displace a charge (w) divided by electric charge (q). The electric potential is a scalar quantity. Both the electric potential and the potential difference have same measuring units.

The basic equation for the Electric Potential is:

  V = w/q

Potential Difference

The potential difference can be defined as when we move a unit of electric charge from the initial point to the final point it has electric potential. The difference between the two electric potential of the two electrically charged units is called as potential difference. In the electric circuit, the unit of an electric charge always flow from the side of higher potential to the lower potential. The potential difference can easily be understood using the example of flow of water.

As water always flows from the upper ground to the lower ground, the same process is carried over the electric charge. The measuring unit of the potential difference is volt. To determine the potential difference between the two points in an electric circuit, we need to connect a voltmeter. The voltmeter records the potential difference between the two points of an electric circuit. A charge possessing high potential will also possess more potential energy.

The potential difference can be denoted as the work done by quantity of charge transported between the two points.

Important Features of Electric Potential

• The work done by the Electric field over a unit of electric charge can only defined over a single point.
• The value of Electric potential is considered as zero at the point at infinity.
• The initial point in the electric potential is considered at infinity.
• The final point in the electric potential is considered as the last point until where the unit of electric charge is carried.
• The Electric Potential cannot be determined using the voltmeter unlike the potential difference can be measured using the voltmeter.
• The electric potential can be determined using the formula v = w/q
• The potential of the unit positive charge is considered as zero.

Important Features of Potential Difference

• The potential difference is possessed when a charge is transferred from one point to another point.
• The initial point is not considered as infinity. It is measured between two known points only.
• The device called voltmeter is used to determine the potential difference between the two known points of the circuit.
• The measuring unit of the potential difference is also volt.
• The potential difference is considered as one volt between the two points when the work required to do is equal to 1 coulomb charge is one joule.
• In determining the potential difference, ohms law is used.
• The resistance is also considered in the determination of potential difference between the points.
• The potential difference can be determined using the formula ΔV=V=ΔP.E./Q

Differences between Electric Potential and Potential Difference in Tabular Form

Electric Potential	Potential Difference
It is the work done to transfer a unit electric charge from a point at infinity to the final point.	It is the work done to move the charge between two points.
The potential of the unit charge at infinity is zero.	The potential of a unit charge will not be considered as zero.
Resistance is not considered in determining the Electric Potential.	The resistance is considered in determining the Potential difference.
The Electric Potential is defined over a particular point.	Unlike Electric potential it is defined between the two known points.
It cannot be measured using the voltmeter.	The potential difference can be measured using the voltmeter.