How is electric potential defined?

Electric potential is defined as the amount of work done per unit charge in bringing a charge from a reference point (usually at infinity) to a specific point in an electric field without any acceleration. This definition fundamentally describes how much energy is required to move an electric charge within an electric field.

When we consider work done to move a charge against an electric field, we divide this work by the amount of charge being moved, which gives us the electric potential. It is measured in volts, where one volt is equivalent to one joule of work done per coulomb of charge. This concept is crucial in understanding how electric fields influence the movement and potential energy of charged particles.

The other choices don't accurately define electric potential. For instance, force per charge would refer to the electric field strength, while power per unit of time describes a different physical quantity that relates to the rate at which energy is transferred or converted. Energy per mass is a concept that relates to specific energy in mechanics or gravitational fields, not electric potential. Hence, the definition as work done per coulomb is the most accurate representation of electric potential.