Potential difference, also known as voltage, is the difference in electric potential between two points. It is measured in volts and represents the amount of work needed to move a unit of electric charge from one point to another.
Potential difference can be calculated by dividing the work done in moving a charge between two points by the amount of charge moved. It can also be calculated by multiplying the electric field strength by the distance between the two points.
The unit of potential difference is the volt (V), named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta. It is equivalent to one joule per coulomb of charge.
According to Ohm's law, potential difference is directly proportional to current and resistance in a circuit. This means that as potential difference increases, current also increases, while resistance remains constant.
Potential difference is affected by the amount of charge being moved, the distance between the two points, and the strength of the electric field. It is also influenced by the type and material of the conductor, temperature, and the presence of other electric charges in the surrounding environment.