If a small positive test charge is placed at a point in an electric filed due to a positive source charge moves away from the source charge. Similarly, if the positive test charge is placed at a point in an electric field due to negative source source charge, the test charge is is found to move towards the source charge. These statements suggest that every point in an electric field have potential. The potential of a point in an electric field is called electric potential.
The electric potential is analogous to the gravitational potential .The electric potentials at different points in the electric field may be different.When a mass moves from one to another point, the gravitational potential energy of the gravitational field is converted into the kinetic energy of the mass. Similar is the case in case of charge moving in an electric Field. When a charge moves in an electric field., the potential energy of the two points in the electric field is converted into the kinetic energy of the charge. Similarly, if a charge is to move against an electric field, the kinetic energy of the charge is converted into the electric potential energy. The electric potential at a point in an electric field is defined as the amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point.
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