What's the difference between Potential Difference and Electromotive Force

Although both are measured in volts, there is a subtle difference in their respective definition. Electromotive Force is the transfer of chemical energy in a battery (multiple single cells) into electrical energy per unit charge. Potential Difference is the transfer of electrical energy to other forms per unit charge, like kinetic in a motor or to hear in a heating element.
Both can be worked out numerically by computing V=W/Q

JJ
Answered by Joseph J. Physics tutor

4467 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How to we work out the speed of an object at a certain point in its trajectory?


Why do I keep losing marks on 6 markers?


Using Newton's law of universal gravitation, show that T^2 is proportional to r^3 (where T is the orbital period of a planet around a star, and r is the distance between them).


A railway car of mass m1 travelling at a velocity of v1 collides with a second car of mass m2 travelling at v2 and the two join together. What is their final velocity?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning