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A potential difference causes an electric current.

Think of it like a river : the source of water is the most elevated point of the river, so the water has a lot of gravitational potential energy. The end of the river is the lowest point of it, so the water has very low gravitational potential energy. What happens between these two points? Water flows! This analogy can be applied to electricity; the potential difference is caused, for example, by a battery in an electric circuit.

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What is the name for the potential difference that causes current to flow?

The name for the potential difference that causes current to flow is voltage.


A what difference is the what that causes charges to move?

The difference in electric potential between two points is what causes charges to move. When there is a potential difference, charges will flow from the higher potential to the lower potential, generating an electric current. This movement of charges is essential for the functioning of electrical circuits.


How does an electron accelerate when subjected to a potential difference?

When an electron is exposed to a potential difference, it experiences a force that causes it to accelerate in the direction of the potential difference. This acceleration is due to the electric field created by the potential difference, which exerts a force on the electron, causing it to move.


What is th potential difference that causes charges to move in a circuit?

The answer is voltage, resistance, electric discharge, and current. It is caused by a difference in energy stability between two points that favors a charge to move down a potential difference.


How much is the potential difference between the terminals of a connection wire?

The potential difference between the terminals of a connection wire is determined by the voltage difference applied across the wire. This voltage difference creates an electric field within the wire that causes charge carriers to move and establish a potential difference between the terminals.

Related Questions

What is the name for the potential difference that causes current to flow?

The name for the potential difference that causes current to flow is voltage.


Difference in a charge between two electrodes in a cell causes a ----between electrodes?

Potential difference.


A what difference is the what that causes charges to move?

The difference in electric potential between two points is what causes charges to move. When there is a potential difference, charges will flow from the higher potential to the lower potential, generating an electric current. This movement of charges is essential for the functioning of electrical circuits.


What causes electric flow in a circuit?

Potential difference, voltage.


How does an electron accelerate when subjected to a potential difference?

When an electron is exposed to a potential difference, it experiences a force that causes it to accelerate in the direction of the potential difference. This acceleration is due to the electric field created by the potential difference, which exerts a force on the electron, causing it to move.


What is th potential difference that causes charges to move in a circuit?

The answer is voltage, resistance, electric discharge, and current. It is caused by a difference in energy stability between two points that favors a charge to move down a potential difference.


How much is the potential difference between the terminals of a connection wire?

The potential difference between the terminals of a connection wire is determined by the voltage difference applied across the wire. This voltage difference creates an electric field within the wire that causes charge carriers to move and establish a potential difference between the terminals.


What does pd stand for in physics?

Pd in the periodic table stands for palladium.


True or false are charges in an electric circuit flow because of a difference in electrical potential energy?

True. Charges in an electric circuit flow because of a difference in electrical potential energy. This difference causes the charges to move from areas of higher potential energy to areas of lower potential energy, thus creating an electric current.


What causes the flow of electric current?

Electromotive force (potential difference, voltage) between two points of a conductor.


How is electric potential generated in a conductor during the flow of charges?

Electric potential in a conductor is generated by the movement of charges, creating an electric field. As electrons flow through the conductor, they experience a resistance, which causes a potential difference to develop. This potential difference creates an electric field that drives the flow of charges.


Can potential difference ocur without current?

Yes. This is the build up of charge. The difference in charge, aka the potential difference, is the driving force that causes current to flow. The third law of thermodynamics is in action when the circuit is completed and the current flows between two point as a result of the potential difference between those two points. (p.s. I am an American girl)