Final answer:
The electric field, denoted by E, is a vector that describes the force per unit charge, while the electric potential difference, or voltage, denoted by V, is a scalar and describes the energy per unit charge. For a point charge, E = kQ/r^2 and V = kQ/r.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electric Field and Electric Potential Difference
The electric field is a vector quantity that represents the force per unit charge exerted on a small positive test charge placed at a point in space. Mathematically, the electric field E created by a point charge can be expressed as E = kQ/r^2, where k is Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge creating the field, and r is the distance from the charge.
On the other hand, electric potential difference is a scalar quantity that represents the work done per unit charge in bringing a small positive test charge from a reference point to the specific point in an electric field without any acceleration. The electric potential V of a point charge is calculated as V = kQ/r, where all the symbols have their usual meanings.
While the electric field is concerned with forces and direction, the electric potential difference deals with energy change and does not have a direction associated with it. To determine the electric potential of a point charge, you need the value of the charge Q and the distance r from the point you are considering to the charge.