Voltage: Difference between revisions
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'''Voltage''' or '''potential difference''' refers to the difference in electrical potential between the positive and negative poles of a battery or other device that generates a flow of electrons. The units of | '''Voltage''' or '''potential difference''' refers to the difference in electrical potential between the positive and negative poles of a battery or other device that generates a flow of electrons. The units of electrical potential in the [[SI]] and most other systems of units are [[volt]]s. | ||
Electrical potential difference can be analogized by comparing to gravitational potential difference, the difference in potential energy between two objects at different elevations in a gravitational field. It can also, perhaps more usefully, be compared to pressure differences in hydraulic systems, with current flow analogized as the quantity of water flow, resistance as the size and roughness of the pipe or channel. | Electrical potential difference can be analogized by comparing to gravitational potential difference, the difference in potential energy between two objects at different elevations in a gravitational field. It can also, perhaps more usefully, be compared to pressure differences in hydraulic systems, with current flow analogized as the quantity of water flow, resistance as the size and roughness of the pipe or channel. | ||
Revision as of 16:51, 12 July 2007
Voltage or potential difference refers to the difference in electrical potential between the positive and negative poles of a battery or other device that generates a flow of electrons. The units of electrical potential in the SI and most other systems of units are volts.
Electrical potential difference can be analogized by comparing to gravitational potential difference, the difference in potential energy between two objects at different elevations in a gravitational field. It can also, perhaps more usefully, be compared to pressure differences in hydraulic systems, with current flow analogized as the quantity of water flow, resistance as the size and roughness of the pipe or channel.