Is internal battery "emf" a conservative force?

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SUMMARY

The internal battery electromotive force (emf) is not a conservative force. The electric field established by a battery's chemical reactions is non-conservative, distinguishing it from the conservative electric/Coulomb force that defines voltage potential. The push force on charges, which is related to the battery's ability to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, is fundamentally different from the emf itself. This discussion clarifies the distinction between electrostatic forces and the energy-to-charge ratio represented by emf.

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STosh9
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First, the electric/Coulomb force set up by a battery across its terminal is conservative, and its potential is given by the well-known V. I also understand the conventional usage of emf is as a voltage potential.

However, a battery does more than just set up the electric field and its associated voltage - it provides electrical energy, by conversion from its chemical energy, to push charges to higher potential. Is this "push" force on charges, or internal emf, a conservative force?
 
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The push force and the electromotive force are not the same thing.
The former is electrostatic force, and the latter is voltage (energy-to-charge ratio).
 
STosh9 said:
Is this "push" force on charges, or internal emf, a conservative force?
No. Electric field due to the chemical reaction in the battery is non-conservative in nature.
 
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cnh1995 said:
No. Electric field due to the chemical reaction in the battery is non-conservative in nature.

Thanks cnh1995 for confirming my suspicion. Would you have any references handy that explains this more?
 

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