Electric potential calculation from energy and charge: If 60 joules of energy are available for every 15 coulombs of charge moved, what is the electrical potential (voltage) between the points?

Introduction / Context:Voltage quantifies energy per unit charge in an electric field. Converting energy and charge to potential difference is a standard operation in circuit theory and electromagnetism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Energy supplied, W = 60 J.
• Charge moved, Q = 15 C.
• No losses or additional sources are considered; a simple ratio applies.

Concept / Approach:Voltage V between two points relates to energy and charge through the definition V = W / Q. Units check: joule per coulomb reduces to volt, which verifies dimensional consistency.

Step-by-Step Solution:Write the relation: V = W / Q.Substitute values: V = 60 / 15.Compute the quotient: 60 / 15 = 4.Therefore, V = 4 V.

Verification / Alternative check:Scale reasoning: If 60 J were delivered for 60 C, the voltage would be 1 V. Halving the charge to 30 C would double the voltage to 2 V. At 15 C (one quarter of 60 C), the voltage becomes 4 V, matching the calculation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 60 V or 15 V: these would require W/Q to be 60 or 15 respectively, which is not the case.
• 0.25 V or 1 V: both are inconsistent with the ratio 60/15.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing V = W * Q or V = Q / W; always recall voltage is energy per charge, not the product.

Final Answer:4 V