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Electric potential and potential difference - (Concept)

Electric potential and potential difference

  • Charges present in a conductor do not flow from one end to another on their own.

  • Electrons or electric charges move in a conductor only if there is a difference of electric pressure which is called potential difference along the conductor.

  • This potential difference may be produced by a battery that consists of one or more electric cells.

  • And that potential difference across the terminals of the cell is generated due to chemical reactions occurs within the cell.

  • When the cell is connected to any conducting circuit element, the potential difference produced by the cell sets the charges inside the conductor in motion and that produces an electric current.

  • In order to maintain this electric current in a given circuit, the cell has to expend its chemical energy stored in it.

  • The potential difference between two points in an electric field is defined as the amount of work done in moving a unit positive charge from one point to another point. So,
                            

    $$
    \text { potential difference }=\frac{\text { work done }}{\text { quantity of charge transfered }}=\frac{W}{Q}
    $$

    - The SI unit of potential difference is Volt which is represented as V .
    - The electric potential difference between two points is said to be one Volt if 1 Joule of work is done for movement of 1 Coulomb of electric charge from one point to another. Thus

    $$
    1 \text { Volt }=\frac{1 \text { joule }}{1 \text { Coulomb }}
    $$

  • The electric potential difference is measured by means of an instrument which is called a voltmeter.

  • This device is always connected in parallel across the points between which we have to measure the potential difference.

Exam Chapter
JEE FOUNDATION Electricity
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