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Question

Is potential a scalar or a vector quantity?


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Solution

  1. A quantity which has only magnitude but no direction is called a scalar quantity.
  2. A quantity which has both the magnitude and direction is called a vector quantity.
  3. Electric potential is defined as the amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a point against the direction of an electric field.
  4. Work done is a scalar quantity and is defined as the dot product of force and displacement.
  5. Since the potential is also a form of work done which in turn is stored as potential energy, potential is a scalar quantity.

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