Potential Difference (redirected from potential differences)

potential difference

the difference in electric potential between two points in an electric field; the work that has to be done in transferring unit positive charge from one point to the other, measured in volts.

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potential difference [pə′ten·chəl ¦dif·rəns]

(electricity)

Between any two points, the work which must be done against electric forces to move a unit charge from one point to the other. Abbreviated PD.

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potential difference - voltage

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Potential Difference 

The potential difference between two points of a steady-state electric or gravitational field is defined as the work done by the forces of the field when a unit positive charge or unit mass, respectively, is moved from the point with the higher potential to the point with the lower potential. If Φ₁ and Φ₂ are the potentials at the initial and the final points of the trajectory of the charge or mass being moved, then the potential difference is u = Φ₁ - Φ₂, and the change in the potential is ΔΦ = Φ₂ - Φ₁ = - u.

The work done by an arbitrary electric field in moving a positive unit charge from one point to another is called the voltage between the points. In the case of a steady-state field, the voltage is the same as the potential difference.