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

4494 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Bismuth-208, which has an atomic mass of 208u and 83 protons in the nucleus, decays through the emission of 2 alpha particles and a beta-positive particle. What isotope results from this decay?


A stationary unstable neutral particle decays into 2 separate particles with equal mass and velocity, what might the resulting bubble chamber diagram look like?


Describe how emission spectra are formed and how they can be used to identify the elemental composition of a star.


State Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction, both qualitatively and quantitatively. How is Lenz's Law included in this? (4 marks)


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