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What is the difference between potential difference and voltage difference?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
To specifically answer the question, there is no such thing as 'voltage difference' because, by definition, 'voltage' means 'potential difference' -not 'potential'!
You can compare 'potential' with height, and 'potential difference' with the difference in height.
The height of an object depends upon from where you measure it. For example an object three-quarters of the way up a 1000 m mountain is +750 m from the base of the mountain, but -250 m from the top of the mountain. Note how we apply a positive or a negative sign to indicate whether we are measuring upwards or downwards.
The same applies to potential. It's value depends upon from where it is measured. For example, two charged objects could have a potential of , say, +5 V with respect to earth (ground) and a potential of -15 V with respect to earth. But the potential difference between them will be +5 - (-15) = 20 V.
Notice how, in the above example, we always show a positive or negative sign when we talk about potential, but we don't use these signs when we talk about a potential difference. Furthermore, it is important that we must ALWAYS specify the reference point when we describe potential -e.g. "What is the potential at point A, with respect to (say) earth?"
Taking this further. It's important to know that the term 'voltage' means 'potential difference', and not 'potential'! It would be quite wrong to say that the 'voltage of an object is (say) -200 V with respect to earth'. The correct expression would be the 'potentialof an object is -200 V with respect to earth'.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoAn electrical "potential", which may be thought of as the same as electrical "charge", can't be measured on its own. Only the "potential difference" between two points can be measured, and is known as the emf (electro-motive force), which is measured in volts.
For more information see the answer to the Related Question shown below.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agothey are both the same thing but it is probably better to say potential difference as it is easier to understand. (since it is the DIFFERENCE across two points)
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThere is no difference. By definition, 'voltage' is synonymous with 'potential difference'.
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What are the differences between voltage and potential difference?
Voltage is the potential difference to the ground. By convention, ground potential is zero volt.The above answer is incorrect. 'Voltage', by definition, is potential difference. It has nothing to do with being measured with respect to ground -in fact potential difference (voltage) cannot be measured with respect to anything.
How can you get the largest voltage difference?
There is no such thing as a 'voltage difference'! 'Voltage' means 'potential difference', so what you appear to be asking is "How do you get the largest potential difference difference?'! Potential difference is caused by the separation of charges between two points. The greater the amount of charge separation, the greater the potential difference.
Define the 'potential difference between the ends of a conductor'?
The potential difference between the ends of a conductor is called voltage.
What is the importance of voltage?
importance of voltage is the potential difference between two points.
What is voltage difference?
Voltage at a point is defined as the work done by a unit positive charge carrying it from infinity to that point. while volage diffrance between two points is the work done bye unit positive charge from one point to the other point.work may be positive or negative depend upon the nature of charge that's why the potential will be negative or positive .CommentBy definition, voltage means potential difference. For this reason, you cannot have 'a voltage at a point' because potential difference, or voltage, exists between two points. You can, however, have a potential at a point.
What is the difference between voltage divider and potential divider?
its the same
What does a battery create between terminals?
Potential difference (voltage)
Difference between voltage and emf?
'Voltage' is simply another term for 'potential difference', and an electromotive force is the open-circuit, or no-load, potential difference of a source such as a battery or generator.
Why voltage is measured between 2 points?
because voltage is the 'electrical potential difference'. since a "difference" can only be evaluated between two points so is voltage :)
What is potential difference or voltage?
If you take two different nodes in a network and if you find the difference in voltage for those nodes then it is known as potential or voltage difference. Here the reference is not taken. But if you find potential difference between a node and its respective ground it is known as voltage at that node here reference is ground potential i.e zero.Answer'Voltage' is synonymous with 'potential difference'; they both mean the same thing. And it is important that these terms are not confused with 'potential'. So, it is incorrect to say 'voltage difference' (which would mean 'potential difference difference'!), or to describe a voltage as existing 'at' a particular point, or 'with reference to', for example, earth or ground.In very simple terms, if two points are at different potentials, then there is a potential difference (or 'voltage') between them. A potential exists when work is done moving a charge to a particular point; the greater the work, the higher the potential. 'Potential' is roughly equivalent to the potential energy gained by an object when it is lifted against the force of gravity.Think of it this way: 'potential' is equivalent to 'height', whereas 'potential difference' (voltage) is equivalent to the difference between points at different heights.
What is a voltage of a battery?
It is the potential difference between the positive and negative terminals of the battery. The unit of electrical potential is the volt, so the difference in potential between two ponts is also a quantity with units of volts, colloquially called the 'voltage' between the points.
What is the potential difference measured in volts?
'Force' isn't measured in volts. Potential and potential difference are measured in volts.
