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You can compare 'potential' with the height of an object, and 'potential difference' with the difference in height between two objects.
Height is not absolute, we always specify height with respect to some point of reference, such as 'sea level'. Objects above sea level we can designate as, for example, plus 1000 metres; objects below sea level we can designate as, for example, minus 500 metres.
The difference in height between these to objects will be +1000 - (-500) = 1500 metres.
In much the same way, potential depends upon from where it is measured. In many cases, we measure potential with respect to earth, although we could use any other reference point, in which case its potential would be different. For example one object may have a potential of +1000 V with respect to earth, while another has a potential of -500 V with respect to earth.
The potential difference between these two objects will be +1000 - (-500) = 1500 V.
To summarise, potential exists at a single point, and is always measured with respect to another point, such as earth. Potential is always assigned a polarity with respect to its point of reference. Potential difference is the difference in the potentials at two different points, and does not have polarity assigned to it (do not confuse 'sense' -the direction in which it acts- with 'polarity').
Finally, 'voltage' is another name for potential difference, not potential. It would be incorrect to ask "What is the voltage at this point with respect to earth".
What else can I help you with?
What variable represents potential difference?
The variable that represents potential difference is V, which stands for 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 the relationship between potential difference and capacitance in a capacitor?
The relationship between potential difference and capacitance in a capacitor is that the potential difference across a capacitor is directly proportional to its capacitance. This means that as the capacitance of a capacitor increases, the potential difference across it also increases, and vice versa.
What is a synonym for voltage difference?
Potential difference is a synonym for voltage difference.
What is the potential difference formula for a capacitor?
The potential difference formula for a capacitor is V Q/C, where V is the potential difference (voltage), Q is the charge stored on the capacitor, and C is the capacitance of the capacitor.
What variable represents potential difference?
The variable that represents potential difference is V, which stands for voltage.
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.
Difference in a charge between two electrodes in a cell causes a ----between electrodes?
Potential difference.
What is the potential difference measured in volts?
'Force' isn't measured in volts. Potential and potential difference are measured in volts.
What is the abbreviation of potential difference?
The abbreviation of potential difference is V, which stands for voltage.
What can be converted to energy?
Anything with potential difference could create the flow of energy. A potential difference could be electropotential, chemical potential or potential difference between high and low ground like energy from water fall. A potential difference can exist in the form of motion difference between a stationary and a moving objects.
What is the unit of potential difference?
The unit for electric potential difference is the volt (V).
What is the potential voltage?
Unless you are using 'potential' in the general sense (i.e. "What is the possible voltage?"), there is no such engineering term as 'potential voltage'. Voltage is a synonym for 'potential difference', so your expression would then mean "What is the potential potential difference?"Do not mix up 'potential' with 'potential difference' (voltage); they are two different things.
What is used to measure potential difference?
A Volt meter is used to measure potential difference (a.k.a. voltage). Potential difference is measured in units called: Volts (V).
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.
Are potential difference and voltage always the same?
Voltage is simply another word for potential difference.
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.
