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 ▸

Explain what simple harmonic motion means?


What happens to the pressure inside a gas-filled ball when the temperature is increased? Explain your answer, stating the assumption made.


Describe energy transformations in a oscillating pendulum, which undergoes simple harmonic motion. How this implies the velocity at critical (lowest and highest) points?


Determine an approximate value for the acceleration of free fall using a tennis ball, metre ruler and a stopwatch.