Potential difference, Physics

Assignment Help:

Potential difference:

When charges move from one point to another, it is not the actual values of potential at those points which are Important, but the potential different (pd) through which the charge has travelled. Just as lifting weight in the gymnasium, the height above sea level is not important, but the distance between the gym floor and the height of one's body. In cases where an actual level of potential is required, the zero of potential is taken as Earth and whenever the potential at a point is given, it means the difference in potential between the point and the earth's surface.

If one coulomb of electricity requires one joule of work to move it between two points, then there is a potential difference of 1 volt between them. It is sometimes helpful to think of potential difference as a difference of ‘electrical pressure' forcing a current through a load.

If a current flows round a circuit, then a potential difference must exist between any two points in that circuit and each point in the circuit must be at a different potential. However because there is very little opposition to current flow in conducting wires, very little potential difference is required to push the current along the wires and it is normally assumed to be zero. Whenever the opposition to current flow is not negligible, then a potential different exists across that component to push the electrons through the device

The converse is also true, if no current is flowing, then no potential difference exists. The larger the potential difference the larger the current.


Related Discussions:- Potential difference

Thomson''s effect, In Thomson's effect we pact with only metallic rod and n...

In Thomson's effect we pact with only metallic rod and not with thermocouple as in Peltiers effect and Seebeck's effect. (That's why sometimes it is called as homogeneous thermo el

Determine the current flowing in each of the four resistors, For the circui...

For the circuit shown in Figure calculate (a) The value of resistor Rx such that the total power dissipated in the circuit is 2.5kW, and (b) The current flowing in each of th

Time Period, what is the time period of a liquid in U tube ?

what is the time period of a liquid in U tube ?

Compound microscope, What is the principle and ray diagram of a compound mi...

What is the principle and ray diagram of a compound microscope

Experiment a model elevator, A model elevator A working model of an ele...

A model elevator A working model of an elevator can simply be made from easy materials. For the rotating drums or sheaves, metal coffee tin will do. With a hammer and a big nai

Vectors, example problms of vectors?

example problms of vectors?

Correct location of the image formed by a plane mirror, Presumptuous that i...

Presumptuous that it is understood that the object is in front of the mirror and anything on the other side of the mirror is behind the mirror is the following statement sufficient

Find time needed for a net force to change the velocity, The time needed fo...

The time needed for a net force of 10 newtons to change the velocity of a 5 kilograms mass by 3 meters/second is: a) 1.5 seconds b) 6 seconds c) 16.7 seconds d

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd