What is potential difference?
Answer
Potential difference between two points is the work done in moving a unit positive charge from one point to the other, with SI unit volt (V).
The working
Definition
Potential difference is the amount of work done to move a unit positive charge from one point to another in an electric circuit.
Formula
Potential difference (V) = work done (W) ÷ charge (Q). One volt equals one joule of work per coulomb of charge.
Unit and measurement
The SI unit is the volt, and it is measured using a voltmeter connected in parallel across the two points.
Role in circuits
A potential difference across a conductor is what drives the electric current through it, from higher to lower potential.
Stuck on something else?
Type your own doubt into the solver and get the full working in seconds — free, for physics, chemistry, maths and biology.
Open the solverRelated doubts