tmusgrove said:
Potential difference, also known as voltage, is the difference in electric potential between two points in an electric circuit. It is measured in volts (V) and represents the amount of work needed to move a unit of electric charge from one point to another.
Potential difference is calculated by dividing the energy (in joules) by the charge (in coulombs). This can be represented by the equation V = W/Q, where V is the potential difference, W is the energy, and Q is the charge.
The unit used to measure potential difference is the volt (V). It is named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta who invented the voltaic pile, one of the earliest forms of battery.
Potential difference is affected by the amount of charge present, the distance between the two points, and the material properties of the circuit. It is also affected by external factors such as temperature and humidity.
Potential difference is important in electricity because it is what drives the flow of electric current in a circuit. It is also used to measure the strength of an electric field and to determine the direction of electron flow.