What is Voltage: All About Voltage in Simple Words
Learn All About Voltage in Terms of Electricity Explained in Simple Words with Definition, Unit, Symbol, Examples.
Here we will Learn What is Voltage – All About Voltage in Terms of Electricity explained in Simple Words with Definition, Unit, Symbol, Examples.
What is Voltage?
Voltage is a type of “pressure” that drives charge through an electrical circuit.
Bodies with opposite charges attract, they exert a force on each other pulling them together. The magnitude of the force is proportional to the product of the charge on each mass. This is just like gravity, where we use the term “mass” to represent the quality of bodies that results in the attractive force that pulls them together.
Electrical force, like gravity, also depends inversely on the distance squared between the two bodies; short separation means big forces.
Thus it takes an opposing force to keep two charges of opposite sign apart, just like it takes force to keep an apple from falling to earth.
It also takes work and the expenditure of energy to pull positive and negative charges apart, just like it takes work to raise a big mass against gravity, or to stretch a spring. This stored or potential energy can be recovered and put to work to do some useful task.
A falling mass can raise a bucket of water; a retracting spring can pull a door shut or run a clock. It requires some imagination to devise ways one might hook on to charges of opposite sign to get some useful work done, but it should be possible.
The potential that separated opposite charges have for doing work if they are released to fly together is called voltage, measured in units of volts (V).
Definition of Voltage
“Voltage is an Electromotive Force or Potential Difference Measured in volts”
In Short: Voltage = Pressure, measured in volts (V).
Example
A Simple DC (Direct Current) Circuit.
Symbol
During early days of electricity, Voltage was known as Electromotive Force (emf). This is why in early formulas as Ohm’s Law, voltage is represented by the symbol E. In modern days, it is represented by the symbol “V” or “E“.
How is Voltage Measured?
The greater the amount of charge and the greater the physical separation, the greater the voltage or stored energy. The greater the voltage, the greater the force that is driving the charges together.
Voltage is always measured between two points, in this case, the positive and negative charges. If you want to compare the voltage of several charged bodies, the relative force driving the various charges, it makes sense to keep one point constant for the measurements. Traditionally, that common point is called “ground“.
So how do you tell if a particular bunch of charge is positive or negative? You can’t in isolation. Even with two charges, you can only tell if they are the same (they repel) or opposite (they attract).
The names are relative; someone has to define which one is “positive“. Similarly, the voltage between two points A and B , VAB , is relative. If VAB is positive you know the two points are oppositely charged, but you cannot tell if point A has positive charge and point B negative, or visa versa.
However, if you make a second measurement between A and another point C , you can at least tell if B and C have the same charge by the relative sign of the two voltages, VAB and VAC to your common point A .
You can even determine the voltage between B and C without measuring it: VBC = VAC – VAB . This is the advantage of defining a common point, like A , as ground and making all voltage measurements with respect to it.
If one further defines the charge at point A to be negative charge, then a positive VAB means point B is positively charged, by definition. The names and the signs are all relative, and sometimes confusing if one forgets what the reference or ground point is.
FAQs: What is Voltage?
How is voltage measured?
Voltage is measured in volts (V), which is the standard unit of electric potential difference. A voltmeter is used to measure voltage across a component or between two points in an electrical circuit.
What is the role of voltage in electronics?
Voltage is a crucial factor in electronics as it determines the flow of electric current. It influences the behavior of components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors. Proper voltage levels are essential for devices to function correctly and safely.
What is the relationship between voltage and current?
Voltage and current are related by Ohm's Law. Ohm's Law states that current (I) flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across it and inversely proportional to its resistance (R). Mathematically, I = V/R.
Can voltage be dangerous?
Yes, high voltage can be dangerous and potentially lethal. It can cause electric shock, burns, and even death. It is extremely important to handle electrical devices and circuits with caution, follow safety guidelines, and use appropriate protective equipment when working with high voltages.
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