jännitepotentiaalin

Jännitepotentiaali, often translated as voltage potential or simply potential in English, refers to the amount of potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field. It is a scalar quantity and is typically measured in volts (V). The concept is analogous to gravitational potential energy, where an object at a higher position has more potential energy due to gravity. Similarly, a charge at a point with higher voltage potential has more potential energy relative to a reference point.

The difference in voltage potential between two points is called electric potential difference, or voltage. This voltage drives electric current through a conductor. Electric fields are often visualized by equipotential lines or surfaces, which are lines or surfaces where the voltage potential is constant. Moving a charge along an equipotential line requires no work.

Voltage potential is a fundamental concept in electricity and is crucial for understanding circuits, electromagnetism, and electrochemistry. It is a key factor in determining the direction and magnitude of electric force and the behavior of charged particles. The SI unit for electric potential is the volt, defined as one joule per coulomb.