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Voltage is simply another word for potential difference.

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Q: Are potential difference and voltage always the same?
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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 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.


In a wire electrons moves by current or voltage?

See voltage means potential difference. Electrons move from higher potential to lower potential always. In wire same thing happens. So electrons flow because there is potential difference and flow of electrons causes current to flow. current is nothing but flow of electrons. reply if u r satisfied @ rahul.khaladkar@rediffmail.com


What is a positive DC voltage?

A positive DC voltage is an electric potential where excess electrons will flow from negative to positive.AnswerYou appear to be mixing up potential difference (i.e. voltage) with potential. There is no such thing as a 'positive' voltage if you mean 'positive' in the sense of charge! 'Voltage' means 'potential difference', and you cannot have a positive or negative potential difference in this sense. You can only apply positive and negative in this sense to potentials.However, if you mean 'positive' in the sense of direction, then a positive voltage is one that is acting in the opposite direction to a negative voltage within the same circuit. For example, where two batteries have been connected in opposition.


How can you get negative voltage?

Your question should read "How do you get a negative potential?", for the reasons explained below.The term, 'voltage', is another word for 'potential difference'. The terms 'positive' and 'negative', when applied to a potential difference or voltage indicates the sense (or direction) in which the potential difference or voltage is acting. For example, if a second voltage is acting in the same direction as another voltage then it is acting in the positive sense; if it is acting in the opposite direction then in is acting in the negative sense'.It's very important to understand that you cannot apply 'positive' and 'negative' is the sense of charge or polarity to potential difference or voltage. You can, however, apply these terms to 'potential'. Potential is relative, and always measured with respect to a given point (often, the earth). So a point can be, for example, +5 V or -5 V with respect to another point (usually earth or ground, but not necessarily).Never confuse 'potential' with 'potential difference' and remember that 'voltage' means potential difference notpotential.So, to obtain a negative potential, earth (ground) the positive terminal of the battery or d.c. supply. All potentials measured relative to earth are now negative. To obtain a positive potential, earth the negative terminal of the battery or d.c. supply instead. All potentials measured relative to earth are now positive.If you want to get a negative potential,Earth the positive terminal of the DC power sourceConnect a resistor in series with the negative terminal of the sourceAt the other end of the resistor you get a negative potential (the value's less than the value of the power supply)

Related questions

What is the same word as voltage?

Voltage is synonymous with potential difference.


What is the difference between voltage divider and potential divider?

its the same


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 are synonyms for voltage?

"voltage", "electrical potential difference", and "electric tension" -- they all mean the same thing.


What is difference between voltage and potential difference?

they 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)


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 the difference between potential difference and current?

think of potential as pressure and current as flow. you can have pressure in a water hose with out flow. open the valve and current happens. The difference in potential divided by the impedance is equal the current.


In a wire electrons moves by current or voltage?

See voltage means potential difference. Electrons move from higher potential to lower potential always. In wire same thing happens. So electrons flow because there is potential difference and flow of electrons causes current to flow. current is nothing but flow of electrons. reply if u r satisfied @ rahul.khaladkar@rediffmail.com


Is voltage the same as potential?

volt drop and potential difference are effectively the same thing, although the term volt drop is usually used in reference of what voltage has to occur for a diode to conduct, or what volt drop is expected across a long wire etc, potential difference is used to refer to the difference in voltage over a potential divider.


Why the unit of potential difference and electromotive force is the same?

Because an electromotive force is a potential difference (voltage) -specifically, an electromotive force is the open-circuit or no-load potential difference of a source such as a battery or generator.


Which two of these means the same thing energy wattage rate at which charge flows voltage drift speed electric potential difference?

'Voltage' and 'electric potential difference' are the same thing. None of the others is like anything else, and they don't belong.


What is a positive DC voltage?

A positive DC voltage is an electric potential where excess electrons will flow from negative to positive.AnswerYou appear to be mixing up potential difference (i.e. voltage) with potential. There is no such thing as a 'positive' voltage if you mean 'positive' in the sense of charge! 'Voltage' means 'potential difference', and you cannot have a positive or negative potential difference in this sense. You can only apply positive and negative in this sense to potentials.However, if you mean 'positive' in the sense of direction, then a positive voltage is one that is acting in the opposite direction to a negative voltage within the same circuit. For example, where two batteries have been connected in opposition.