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  1. AP Physics C E M
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What is electric potential?

Electric potential is the electric potential energy per unit charge at a point in space.

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What is electric potential?

Electric potential is the electric potential energy per unit charge at a point in space.

What is the unit of electric potential?

Volts (V), where 1 V = 1 joule per coulomb (J/C).

Define electric potential difference.

The electric potential difference (ΔV\Delta VΔV) is the change in electric potential energy (DeltaUEDelta U_EDeltaUE​) per unit charge when moving a test charge between two points: ΔV=ΔUEq\Delta V = \frac{\Delta U_E}{q}ΔV=qΔUE​​.

What are equipotential lines?

Equipotential lines, also called isolines, connect points of equal electric potential.

Define permittivity of free space.

Permittivity of free space (epsilon0epsilon_0epsilon0​) is a physical constant that describes the ability of a vacuum to permit electric fields.

What is the difference between electric potential and electric potential energy?

Electric potential: Electric potential energy per unit charge. | Electric potential energy: Energy a charge possesses due to its location in an electric field.

Compare electric potential due to a single point charge and multiple point charges.

Single point charge: V=q4πε0rV=\frac{q}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0} r}V=4πε0​rq​ | Multiple point charges: V=14πε0∑iqiriV=\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0}} \sum_{i} \frac{q_{i}}{r_{i}}V=4πε0​1​∑i​ri​qi​​

Compare electric field lines and equipotential lines.

Electric field lines: Indicate the direction of the electric force on a positive charge. | Equipotential lines: Connect points of equal electric potential; perpendicular to electric field lines.

Compare high and low spacing between isolines.

Closely spaced isolines: Correspond to a strong electric field. | Widely spaced isolines: Indicate a weak electric field.

Compare anode and cathode during discharge.

Anode: Negative terminal, electrons flow from here. | Cathode: Positive terminal, electrons flow to here.

What is the effect of separating positive and negative charges?

It creates an electric potential difference.

What happens during the discharge of a battery?

Electrons flow from the negative terminal (anode) to the positive terminal (cathode) through an external circuit.

What happens if the separation between two parallel plates is doubled?

The potential difference between the plates doubles, assuming the charge remains constant.

What is the effect of increasing the distance from a point charge on the electric potential?

The electric potential decreases.

What is the effect of increasing the charge on an object on the electric potential?

The electric potential increases.