Voltage

For other uses, see Voltage (disambiguation).
"Potential difference" redirects here. For other uses, see Potential.
Voltage
Batteries are sources of voltage in many electric circuits.
Common symbols
V , ∆V , U , ∆U
SI unitvolt
In SI base unitskg⋅m2⋅s−3⋅A−1
Derivations from
other quantities
Voltage = Energy / charge
Dimension
Articles about
Electromagnetism
Solenoid
Electrostatics
Magnetostatics
Electrodynamics
Electrical network
Magnetic circuit
Covariant formulation
Scientists

Voltage, also known as (electrical) potential difference, electric pressure, or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points.[1][2] In a static electric field, it corresponds to the work needed per unit of charge to move a positive test charge from the first point to the second point. In the International System of Units (SI), the derived unit for voltage is the volt (V). [3][4][5]

The voltage between points can be caused by the build-up of electric charge (e.g., a capacitor), and from an electromotive force (e.g., electromagnetic induction in a generator).[6][7] On a macroscopic scale, a potential difference can be caused by electrochemical processes (e.g., cells and batteries), the pressure-induced piezoelectric effect, and the thermoelectric effect. Since it is the difference in electric potential, it is a physical scalar quantity.[8]

A voltmeter can be used to measure the voltage between two points in a system.[9] Often a common reference potential such as the ground of the system is used as one of the points. In this case, voltage is often mentioned at a point without completely mentioning the other measurement point. A voltage can be associated with either a source of energy or the loss, dissipation, or storage of energy.

  1. ^ Cretì, Anna; Fontini, Fulvio (2019-05-30). Economics of Electricity: Markets, Competition and Rules. Cambridge University Press. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-107-18565-4.
  2. ^ Tregub, Stanislav (2020-08-08). Theory of Energy Harmony: Mechanism of Fundamental Interactions. Stanislav Tregub. p. 26. ISBN 978-5-6044739-2-4.
  3. ^ David B. Newell, Eite Tiesinga (August 2019). The International System of Units (SI) (PDF) (Report). National Institute of Standards and Technology. p. 31. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ^ Holloway, Michael D.; Holloway, Emma (2020-12-09). Dictionary of Industrial Terminology. John Wiley & Sons. p. 1259. ISBN 978-1-119-36410-8.
  5. ^ Aslam, Dr S.; Sharma, Dr Pradosh Kumar; Rahul, Satyakam; Saluja, Dr Hitanshu (2024-01-26). Integrating Electrical Systems With Intelligent Computing. Academic Guru Publishing House. p. 17. ISBN 978-81-19843-91-6.
  6. ^ Demetrius T. Paris and F. Kenneth Hurd, Basic Electromagnetic Theory, McGraw-Hill, New York 1969, ISBN 0-07-048470-8, pp. 512, 546
  7. ^ P. Hammond, Electromagnetism for Engineers, p. 135, Pergamon Press 1969 OCLC 854336.
  8. ^ Experts, Disha (2017-08-29). 10 in One Study Package for CBSE Physics Class 12 with 5 Model Papers. Disha Publications. p. 64. ISBN 978-93-86323-72-9.
  9. ^ International, Petrogav. Production Course for Hiring on Offshore Oil and Gas Rigs. Petrogav International. p. 328.