Electric potential is commonly referred to as what?

Electric potential is commonly referred to as voltage. It is defined as the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field. Voltage is a measure of the ability of an electric field to do work on a charged particle, and it is expressed in volts (V).

When we talk about voltage, we are essentially discussing the difference in electric potential between two points. This potential difference is what drives the flow of electric current in a circuit, as it provides the necessary energy to move charge carriers from one point to another.

To further understand this, consider that in a circuit, when a potential difference (or voltage) is applied, it encourages electrons to flow through the wires and components, allowing devices to function. This fundamental relationship between voltage and current is a key concept in electrical circuits.

Other terms mentioned, such as current, resistance, and capacitance, refer to different aspects of electric circuits: current relates to the flow of charge, resistance measures how much a component opposes that flow, and capacitance quantifies how much charge a capacitor can store at a given voltage. However, it is the voltage that explicitly denotes electric potential in a circuit.