Electrostatic Potential

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An electric potential is the amount of electric potential energy that a unitary point electric charge would have if located at any point in space, and is equal to the work done by an electric field in carrying a unit of positive charge from infinity to that point.

Electric potential, the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from a reference point to a specific point against an electric field.

Typically, the reference point is the Earth, although any point beyond the influence of the electric field charge can be used.

$$ \mbox{Electric potential energy} = \frac{\mbox{work or electrical potential energy} }{ \mbox{unit of charge moved}} $$

Or

$$ V = \frac{ W } {q } $$

The energy per unit of charge is often called voltage so it is symbolized with the capital letter V.

Work or energy can be measured in Joules and charge is measured in Coulombs so the electrical potential can be measured in Joules per Coulomb which has been defined as a volt.