The absolute electrical potential at a point possesses 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.