Question

Which of the following statements correctly defines a volt?
(a) The quantity joule per ampere.
(b) The quantity joule per coulomb.

Answer 1

Concept used: Electric potential

Prerequisite: Knowledge of SI unit of electric potential

Step 1: Unit of potential difference,

Volt is the unit of potential difference, and the potential difference is the ratio of work done and charge. Mathematically, it can be written as,

$∆V=\frac{W}{q}$

Here, W is the work done, and q is the charge.

Step 2: Potential in terms of work done,

The SI unit of work done is Joule and the SI unit of charge is Coulomb, Therefore, volt can be written as the Joule/Coulomb.

Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.