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 ▸

How does stimulated emission work?


A car of mass m travelling with a velocity v comes to rest over a distance d in time t. The constant frictional force acting on the car while it is braking is found using:


State what is meant by isotopes?


Why is the classical model of light insufficient in explaining the photoelectric effect?