Work per unit charge is called the potential difference.

Work per unit charge is called the potential difference.

• A. The volt
• B. Coulomb
• C. Potential difference
• D. Electric field

Answer: (C)

Potential difference is defined as the work done to move a unit positive charge between two points in an electric field. In other words, the work by the electric forces moving from one point to another equals the charge times the potential difference: W = q ΔV, so ΔV = W/q. This quantity is measured in volts, where 1 volt is 1 joule per coulomb. So work per unit charge is exactly what the potential difference describes. The electric field is a different quantity (it's force per unit charge), and Coulomb is just the unit of charge. For example, moving a 1 C charge across a 1 V difference requires 1 joule of work.

Potential difference is defined as the work done to move a unit positive charge between two points in an electric field. In other words, the work by the electric forces moving from one point to another equals the charge times the potential difference: W = q ΔV, so ΔV = W/q. This quantity is measured in volts, where 1 volt is 1 joule per coulomb. So work per unit charge is exactly what the potential difference describes. The electric field is a different quantity (it's force per unit charge), and Coulomb is just the unit of charge. For example, moving a 1 C charge across a 1 V difference requires 1 joule of work.