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Potential Difference

It is often more convenient to consider the electrostatic potential V rather than electric field as the motivating influence for the flow of electric charge. The generalized vector properties of are usually unimportant. The change in potential dV across a distance in an electric field is

A positive charge will move from a higher to a lower potential. The potential is also referred to as the potential difference or, incorrectly, as just voltage:

Remember that current flowing in a conductor is due to a potential difference between its ends. Electrons move from a point of less positive potential to more positive potential and the current flows in the opposite direction.

The SI unit of potential difference is the volt (V).



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