Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

When a charge is placed in an electric field, its position can be associated with potential energy. If a charge `q` has electric potential energy `U` at a point: V = Uq Therefore: U = qV Electric potential is a scalar quantity. Its SI unit is: volt (V) and: 1 V = 1 J/C Potential `V` describes the electric field location itself. Potential energy `U` also depends on the charge placed there. Therefore two different charges placed at the same point experience the same electric potential but can have different electric potential energies.

Potential is measured relative to a chosen reference. For isolated point charges, zero potential is commonly taken at infinity.

**V = Uq U = qV 1 V = 1 J/C**