potential difference

Charge separation measure

Potential difference is the difference in electric potential between two points, measured in volts.

It represents the work needed to move a unit charge from one point to another, driving current through a circuit.

Often called voltage in everyday contexts: The potential difference across the battery terminals is 9 volts.

measurement

voltmeter

Electrical potential difference gauge

multimeterCombined electrical measuring device
galvanometerMeasures electrical flow strength
ohmmeterInstrument measuring electrical resistance

electromotive force · voltage drop · thermoelectric · millivolt · microvolt · kilovolt · potentiometer

circuit

resistor

Current-limiting circuit element

capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
inductorCoil storing magnetic energy
currentDirected flow of charge

series · parallel · load · impedance · conductance · resistance · ground · node · branch · open circuit

physics

electric field

Region affecting nearby charges

coulombUnit of electrical charge
workEffort toward a goal
energyPower to do work

joule · equipotential · gradient · electrostatics · capacitance · dielectric · field lines · superposition

electrochemistry

electrode

Conductive interface point

anodeOxidation electrode
cathodeElectrode current exits through
electrolyteConductive dissolved substance

redox · electrolytic cell · ion · oxidation · reduction · reference electrode · electroplating · corrosion

Opposites

electrical measurement type

potential differencecurrent

Directed flow of charge

electric current · amperage · current flow · resistance · conductance

energy state

potential differenceequipotential

Having uniform potential throughout

ground state · neutral state

circuit state

potential differenceground

Solid surface underfoot

equipotential · short circuit · neutral · common ground

Family

difference, potential, differences, potentially, potentiality, potentials

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G