- #1
Line
- 216
- 0
Throughout EE I've seen many symbols. When it comes to voltage I've seen E,V,and e. Do they all mean the same thing?
What Do E, V, and e Mean in Voltage Symbols?
- Thread starter Line
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Voltage
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the meanings and usages of the symbols E, V, and e in the context of voltage and electric fields, with references to potential difference and electromotive force. Participants explore various definitions and contexts in which these symbols are used, including textbooks and practical applications.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants assert that E is generally used for electric field, V for voltage, and e for an electron or a constant from natural logs.
- One participant mentions that in their book, E is defined as potential difference, while e is related to induction.
- Another participant claims that E can be used for electromotive force, which they suggest is equivalent to voltage.
- There is a contention regarding the definitions, with some arguing that potential difference is voltage V, while E is used in different contexts, such as ground calculations.
- One participant emphasizes the distinction between the gradient operator (\nabla) and the change operator (\Delta) in equations involving E and V.
- Another participant notes that their book teaches E as voltage initially, but later introduces V, suggesting a potential interchangeability in their usage.
- Some participants express skepticism about the reliability of the book being referenced, questioning its definitions and clarity.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the meanings of E, V, and e, with multiple competing views and interpretations presented throughout the discussion.
Contextual Notes
There are unresolved issues regarding the definitions and contexts of the symbols, as well as the potential for confusion between different uses of E, V, and e in various texts and applications.
- #2
berkeman
Admin
- 69,537
- 25,119
E is generally used for electric field
V or v is generally used for voltage
e generally refers to an electron or the constant from natural logs
V or v is generally used for voltage
e generally refers to an electron or the constant from natural logs
- #3
Line
- 216
- 0
In the book I've been readinf E means potential difference.
And e was in one about Industion. Eqaution looked something like
L=de/dt
And e was in one about Industion. Eqaution looked something like
L=de/dt
- #4
berkeman
Admin
- 69,537
- 25,119
Sounds like your book has problems. What are the title and author of the book? Potential difference is voltage V, and [tex]E = - \nabla V[/tex]
- #5
Valhalla
- 69
- 0
E can be used for electromotive force which is equivalent to voltage right?
Last edited:
- #6
Averagesupernova
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 4,896
- 1,556
Picture this:
-
E = 10V
I = 10A
-
Understand?
-
E = 10V
I = 10A
-
Understand?
- #7
Line
- 216
- 0
berkeman said:
If you're counting V is the actual voltage and Eis the voltage with ground
calculated then [tex]E=V- \nabla V[/tex] ...potential difference.
Last edited:
- #8
a4swe
- 2
- 0
Here we use U for the voltage and sometimes E for the EMK.
We use V to symbolize the potential difference.
e should be the time dependent voltage (of course we use u for that).
We use V to symbolize the potential difference.
e should be the time dependent voltage (of course we use u for that).
- #9
berkeman
Admin
- 69,537
- 25,119
Holy smokes, that's totally wrong and misleading. Try putting units into that equation...Line said:
- #10
Line
- 216
- 0
Potential DIfference does eqaul voltage minus the change in voltage doesn't it?berkeman said:
IN my boo E was potential difference, V was voltage and e had to do with induction.
e=N x d(webers)/dt
- #11
berkeman
Admin
- 69,537
- 25,119
It can, but that's not what you wrote. There's a big difference between [tex]\nabla[/tex] and [tex]\Delta[/tex]Line said:
FYI, [tex]\Delta[/tex] can represent a change (as I guess you intended), but [tex]\nabla[/tex] is the gradient operator. So the equation [tex]E = -\nabla V[/tex] is the way that we usually show the relationship between the vector electric field E and the scalar potential V.
Last edited:
- #12
Line
- 216
- 0
In the beginning of the book they teach us E as the voltage.
I=E/R
Then in the middle they give us V.
P=VV/R
I=E/R
Then in the middle they give us V.
P=VV/R
- #13
Ouabache
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 1,349
- 10
You are correct, E can be used for http://www.phys.uAlberta.ca/~gingrich/phys395/notes/node8.html .Valhalla said:
As Berkeman has also mentioned, E (especially boldface) is also used in electrical engineering for "electric field", so be careful of the context in which you are using these symbols.
So in your book, they are using E interchangably with V for voltage potential. (they are virtually synonymous).Line said:
Last edited by a moderator:
- #14
leright
- 1,317
- 19
Sounds to me you have a terrible book, Line.