potential, electric (symbol V) Energy required to transfer a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a given point in an electric field. The unit of electric potential is the volt. The Earth's potential is taken by convention to be zero and a charged conductor has a higher potential. A battery's electric potential can make current flow in an external circuit. See also potential difference

electric potential Symbol V. The energy required to bring unit electric charge from infinity to the point in an electric field at which the potential is being specified. The unit of electric potential is the volt. The potential difference (p.d.) between two points in an electric field or circuit is the difference in the values of the electric potentials at the two points, i.e. it is the work done in moving unit charge from one point to the other.