Potential, Absolute

The absolute electrical potential at a point po e es a numerical value and measures the tendency which the existing electric forces would have to drive an electrified particle away from or prevent its approach to the point, if such a particle, one unit in quantity, were brought up to or were situated at that point. It is numerically equal to the number of ergs of work which must be done to bring a positive unit of electricity from a region where there is absolutely no electric force up to the point in question. (Daniell.) Two suppositions are included in this. The region where there is an electric force has to be and only can be at an infinite distance from all electrified bodies. The moving of the particle must take place without any effect upon the distribution of electricity on other particles.