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How to Calculate the Potential Difference of Electrons

The potential difference of electrons is also known as voltage. When an electron is released inside an electric field, it will migrate from an area of high potential energy to one of low potential energy. Electrons are measured in a unit known as the electron-vole, or eV, which is defined as the amount of energy needed to move one electron through a potential difference equal to 1 volt. You can apply this physics principle to any electric field.

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the appropriate equation for the situation. In this case, the base equation is E = V/d. E is the strength of the electric field, V is the voltage and d is the distance between the plates.
- 2
  Rearrange the equation so that it reads V = Ed, and fill in the known values of E and d. For example, E is equal to 500 N/C and d is equal to 0.020 m
- 3
  Multiply E times d. The result, V, is the potential difference. Report the answer in volts, V. Using the previous example, V would be equal to 500 N/C times 0.020 m, or 10 V.

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