Identify the correct formula to find the potential difference between two points.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is option 4. \(V = \frac{W}{Q}\).
The potential difference between two points in an electric field, often denoted as \( V \), is a measure of the work done per unit charge in moving a test charge from one point to another. It's also commonly referred to as voltage.
The formula to calculate potential difference (\( V \)) is given by:
\[ V = \frac{W}{Q} \]
Here's what each symbol represents:
\( V \) is the potential difference, measured in volts (V).
\( W \) is the work done in moving a charge from one point to another against the electric field, measured in joules (J).
\( Q \) is the magnitude of the charge, measured in coulombs (C).
In essence, the potential difference tells us how much energy is required to move a charge between two points in the electric field. If the potential difference between two points is 1 volt, it means that 1 joule of work is done in moving 1 coulomb of charge between those points.
This formula is fundamental in understanding electric circuits and the behavior of charges in electric fields.