Final answer:
Voltage refers to the energy per unit charge and is synonymous with electric potential difference. The relationship can be represented by the formula ∆U = q∆V, indicating change in electric potential energy (U) in relation to the charge (q) and potential difference (V).
Step-by-step explanation:
Relationship Between Voltage and Energy
The relationship between voltage and energy is that voltage is the energy per unit charge at some point in space. In terms of potential difference and electric potential energy, the relationship can be expressed as ∆U = q∆V, where ∆U is the change in electric potential energy, q is the charge, and ∆V is the potential difference, also known as voltage. It is important to note that voltage is always measured between two points because it is defined as the potential difference between those two points.
The term 'voltage' is more commonly used, but 'potential difference' is more descriptive of what is actually being measured. A potential difference of zero between two points implies that no net work is required to move a test charge between them; however, this does not necessarily mean that no force is exerted.