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Potential Difference.IGCSE

Potential difference, measured in volts (V), is defined as the work done by a unit charge passing through a component and is related to energy transfer in a circuit. It can be measured using voltmeters, which can be either analogue or digital, and must be connected in parallel with the component being measured. The relationship between potential difference, energy transferred, and charge is given by the equation V = W/Q, where one volt equals one joule per coulomb.

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3 views

Potential Difference.IGCSE

Potential difference, measured in volts (V), is defined as the work done by a unit charge passing through a component and is related to energy transfer in a circuit. It can be measured using voltmeters, which can be either analogue or digital, and must be connected in parallel with the component being measured. The relationship between potential difference, energy transferred, and charge is given by the equation V = W/Q, where one volt equals one joule per coulomb.

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Potential Difference (CIE IGCSE

Physics)
https://www.savemyexams.com/igcse/physics/cie/23/revision-notes/4-electricity--magnetism/4-2-
electrical-quantities/4-2-8-potential-difference/

Yegana Bakirova.

Potential difference
 Potential difference is defined as:

The work done by a unit charge passing through a component

 Potential difference is measured in units of volts (V)

 The potential difference between two points in a circuit is related to the amount
of energy transferred between those points
The potential difference is the difference in the electrical potential across each
component: 5 volts for the bulb (on the left) and 7 volts for the resistor (on the right)

 As electrons flow through a cell, they gain energy


o For example, in a 12 V cell, every coulomb of charge passing through
gains 12 J of energy

 As electrons flow through a circuit, they lose energy


o For example, after leaving the 12 V cell, each coulomb of charge will
transfer 12 J of energy to the wires and components in the circuit

Measuring potential difference


 Potential difference can be measured using a voltmeter
 Voltmeters must be set up in parallel with the component being measured
o This is because potential difference is the difference in electrical potential
between two points
o Therefore, a voltmeter has to be connected to two points in the circuit

Potential difference can be measured by connecting a voltmeter in parallel between two


points in a circuit

 Voltmeters can be
o digital (with an electronic read out)
o analogue (with a needle and scale)

Analogue voltmeters

 Analogue voltmeters are subject to parallax error


o Always read the meter from a position directly perpendicular to the scale

 Typical ranges are 0.1-1.0 V and 0-5.0 V for analogue voltmeters although they
can vary
o Always double-check exactly where the marker is before an experiment, if
not at zero, you will need to subtract this from all your measurements
o They should be checked for zero errors before using

Voltmeters can be either analogue (with a scale and needle) or digital (with electronic
read-out)

Digital voltmeters

 Digital voltmeters can measure very small potential differences, in mV or µV


 Digital displays show the measured values as digits and are more accurate than
analogue displays
 They’re easy to use because they give a specific value and are capable of
displaying more precise values
o However digital displays may 'flicker' back and forth between values and a
judgement must be made as to which to write down

 Digital voltmeters should be checked for zero error


o Make sure the reading is zero before starting an experiment, or subtract
the “zero” value from the end results

When you are building a circuit in class, always connect the voltmeter last. Make the
whole circuit first and check it works.

Only then pick up the voltmeter. Connect two leads to your voltmeter. Now connect the
leads so that they are one on each side of the component you are measuring. This will
save you a lot of time waiting for your teacher to troubleshoot your circuit!
You might sometimes see potential difference called voltage. Both mean the same
thing, but it is best to use the term potential difference. This can be particularly useful
when thinking about voltmeters as the potential difference describes
a difference between two points, therefore the voltmeter has to be connected
between two points in the circuit.

Calculating potential difference


Extended tier only

 Potential difference, energy transferred and charge are related by the equation:

 Where:
o V = potential difference, measured in volts (V)
o W = energy transferred to the components, measured in joules (J)
o Q = charge moved, measured in coulombs (C)

 One volt is equivalent to the transfer of 1 joule of electrical energy by 1 coulomb


of charge, or 1 V = 1 J/C

 This can be rearranged using the formula triangle below:

Energy charge and potential difference formula triangle

Formula triangle for the energy transferred, voltage and charge equation
 Check out this revision note on speed, distance and time if you need a reminder
on how to use formula triangles

The normal operating voltage for a lamp is 6 V.

Calculate how much energy is transferred in the lamp when 4200 C of charge flows
through it.

Answer:

Step 1: List the known quantities

 Voltage, V = 6 V
 Charge, Q = 4200 C

Step 2: State the equation linking potential difference, energy and charge

 The equation linking potential difference, energy and charge is:

Step 3: Rearrange the equation and substitute the known values

W = 6 × 4200 = 25 200 J

 Therefore, 25 200 J of energy is transferred in the lamp


Don't be confused by the symbol for voltage (the symbol V) being the same as its unit
(the volt, V). Remember that one volt is equivalent to 'a joule per coulomb'.

Make sure to learn this equation and understand how it is similar (and different) to the
equation for e.m.f.

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