Electrostatic Potential

Key Stage 4

Meaning

An electrostatic potential is a point that needs work to be done on an charge to get it there.

About Electrostatic Potential

Electrostatic potential can be considered like a gravitational potential that needs work to be done on an object to lift it to that height.

Work is done by an current to move a charge from one potential to another potential.

If two potentials are the same, then no work is done on the charge.

If two potentials are different this is called a potential difference and work is done on an electrical charge.

Without a potential difference current will not pass through an object. This is why birds can stand on high voltage power lines. The potential at each of their feet is identical, so no current will pass through their body.