What's the difference between Potential Difference and Electromotive Force

Although both are measured in volts, there is a subtle difference in their respective definition. Electromotive Force is the transfer of chemical energy in a battery (multiple single cells) into electrical energy per unit charge. Potential Difference is the transfer of electrical energy to other forms per unit charge, like kinetic in a motor or to hear in a heating element.
Both can be worked out numerically by computing V=W/Q

JJ

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe, using a diagram, the forces acting on the system of an object tethered to a string, rotating around a fixed point in free space. Will the string ever become horizontal?


How would you calculate the vertical and horizontal components of the velocity of an object with an initial velocity of 15m/s which is travelling upwards at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal?


On a speed/time graph: a) how would a constant deceleration be illustrated? b) how would you use the graph to calculate total distance travelled?


What are vectors?