In an electric field, the potential is directly proportional to which variable?

In an electric field, the electric potential (or voltage) is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge creating the field. When considering point charges, the electric potential (V) at a distance (r) from a charge (Q) can be expressed by the equation V = k * Q / r, where k is a constant. This relationship indicates that as the magnitude of the charge increases, the electric potential at a given distance from that charge also increases.

This direct proportionality means that if you have a larger charge, the potential produced by that charge at a specific distance also becomes greater, directly influencing the behavior of charges in the field. Understanding this relationship is fundamental in electrostatics and plays an essential role when analyzing electric fields and potentials.