Is Work Required to Push Electrons from Positive to Negative Terminal?

[Peter G.]

Hi,

My book says the electrons must be pushed from the positive to the negative terminal, which means work must be done on the electrons.

I find it a bit confusing. Is the book saying that because we are using the conventional current? Meaning that the positive end of the battery has a high potential and the left end a lower potential hence charge must flow from positive to negative. Then in that case, work would have to be done on the charges (electrons) to make them move against the forces of attraction, since, normally, electrons would move the other way?

Thanks,
Peter G.

 

[DrZoidberg]

In a battery for example the chemical reaction inside moves electrons from + to -. That requires energy. That energy is then released again as the electrons move back through the circuit.

 

[Peter G.]

Ok and just one more thing: The e.m.f, that is, the work done per unit charge to move it around the circuit is actually the potential difference across the battery (therefore E.m.f - Ir)?