Learn what electric potential difference is and how to calculate it

Electric potential difference, or voltage, is essential for the existence of electric current between two points. Charged particles in random motion align when exposed to an electric field. Electrified bodies have different potentials due to the gain or loss of electrons, creating a voltage that can be measured in Volts (V) using a voltmeter.

Concept of Potential Difference

Also called electrical voltage, the potential difference is a physical quantity that is directly associated with the concept of electric current — which is the flow of charged particles that pass through a conductor in an orderly manner. For this electric current to exist between two points, there must be a potential difference between them.

Movement of Charged Particles

Charged particles are in constant random motion and, when they receive an electric field in the region of the charges, they begin to have ordered movement. To understand the concept of potential difference, just keep in mind that any electrified body has received or lost electrons: a body that received electrons becomes negatively charged, while one that lost or gave up electrons becomes positively charged.

Imbalance and Potential

This imbalance means that each body has a different electric potential, that is, there is a potential difference.

How to Calculate the Potential Difference?

The potential difference is a quantity measured in Volts (V), and its calculation is done by a precision instrument called a voltmeter. To arrive at the value of the potential difference, a calculation is made that considers the voltage difference between point A (positive charge) and point B (negative charge), using the following formula: