Electric Potential Energy in Physics

Electric Potential Energy is a fundamental concept in physics which describes how much electrical power can be obtained from a source of electricity. It's also known as potential difference, electric potential, and work done. Understanding this energy type helps in understanding various phenomena like electromagnetism and electrostatic force.

Potential Difference refers to the amount of voltage difference between two points on a circuit. A high potential difference means more energy will flow along the wire when current flows. This difference indicates the amount of work required to move one unit charge along a conductor connected across the terminals, with zero potential difference being the lowest possible value.

Electric Potential refers to the amount of potential energy stored in an electric field. In other words, it's the ability of an object charged by static electricity to do work on another object due to their mutual attraction or repulsion. Electrical potential varies depending upon the density of free charges in the body involved.

Work Done accounts for the amount of mechanical energy transfer into electrical energy through the movement of an electron in an atom or molecule. Work done determines the efficiency of conversion of kinetic energy of motion into electrical energy. If less work is done, there won't be enough power output.

The relation among these three concepts is such that they all point towards the total available energy present in any system. For instance, if you have a battery where the potential difference is too low, its potential energy remains untapped; however, once you connect it to a device that has higher resistance, the potential becomes useful, providing electricity. Similarly, if a potential difference exists without any physical connection between the two ends, the work done would be zero, indicating no energy transfer.

In summary, electric potential energy represents the energy associated with an electric field. Its properties - potential difference, electric potential, and work done - determine the nature of the electric energy. These factors determine the extent to which electrical energy can be utilized and converted to perform work.