4.5.5

Potential Difference

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Potential Difference

Potential difference is the difference in the amount of energy that charge carriers have between two points in a circuit.

Measured in volts

Measured in volts

  • Potential difference (p.d.) is measured in volts (V) and is also called voltage.
  • The energy is transferred to the electrical components in a circuit when the charge carriers pass through them.
  • We use a voltmeter to measure potential difference (or voltage).

Measurements in Circuits

Several different properties of currents can be measured.

Ammeters

Ammeters

  • An ammeter measures the flow of current that passes through it.
  • Ammeters have to be connected in series (in the same loop of the circuit) with the electrical component whose current you are measuring. For example component X above.
Diagram
Voltmeters

Voltmeters

  • Voltmeters measure the potential difference (voltage) between two points in a circuit. For example between two points either side of component X above.
  • Voltmeters must always be connected in parallel (on a separate branch of the circuit) with the two points being measured.
Diagram
Current vs potential difference

Current vs potential difference

  • The current is a flow of charge. Current is measured through a component.
  • Potential difference is the energy used between two points in a circuit, therefore it is measured between two points either side of a component.
  • We describe this as the potential difference measured across a component.
Diagram
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Practice questions on Potential Difference

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What instrument do you use to measure a potential difference?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of the following are true of potential difference?True / false
  3. 3
    What instrument is used to measure current?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Which of the following are true of measurements of a circuit?True / false
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IB Multiple Choice - Electric Charge