Voltage

Definition

Voltage, also known as electric potential difference, is the measure of potential energy per unit charge between two points in an electric field. It is measured in volts (V).

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Voltage is a scalar quantity and does not have a direction.
2. The unit of voltage is the volt (V), which is equivalent to one joule per coulomb ($1 \text{V} = 1 \text{J/C}$).
3. Voltage can be calculated using Ohm's Law: $V = IR$, where $I$ is the current and $R$ is the resistance.
4. In a uniform electric field, voltage can be related to the electric field ($E$) and distance ($d$) by $V = Ed$.
5. The total voltage around a closed loop in a circuit must sum to zero according to Kirchhoff's Voltage Law.

Review Questions

• What is the unit of voltage and what does it represent?
• How do you calculate voltage using Ohm's Law?
• Explain how voltage relates to electric fields and distance in a uniform electric field.

Related terms

Electric Potential:

The work done per unit charge in bringing a positive test charge from infinity to a point in space within an electric field.

Current:

The flow of electric charge through a conductor, typically measured in amperes (A).

Resistance:

A measure of how much an object opposes the passage of electrons, measured in ohms (Ω).