What is electric potential difference defined as?

Electric potential difference is defined as the energy per unit charge. This concept describes how much work is needed to move a charge from one point to another within an electric field. Specifically, it quantifies the amount of energy in joules (the unit of energy) that is required to move one coulomb of charge between two points.

The higher the electric potential difference, the greater the energy is available to the charge in the electric field, which can do work, such as lighting a bulb or powering a device. This relationship is fundamental in understanding how electrical circuits operate, as the potential difference is what drives the flow of current through a circuit.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the definition of electric potential difference. For instance, force per unit charge relates to electrostatic fields, while the distance between two charges does not provide information about energy differences. The product of charge and voltage is also not correct because this combination gives energy, whereas electric potential difference itself specifically refers to energy per unit charge.