How is voltage different from current?
1 Answer
Voltage and current are two fundamental concepts in electricity, and they are closely related but distinct quantities.
Voltage:
Voltage (also known as electric potential difference or electric potential) is the measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge in an electric circuit. It represents the "pressure" or "force" that pushes charged particles (usually electrons) through a conductor.
Voltage is measured in volts (V) and is often denoted by the symbol "V."
Voltage is responsible for creating an electric field that exerts a force on charged particles, causing them to move within a circuit.
Current:
Current is the flow of electric charge (usually electrons) through a conductor per unit of time. It is the rate at which charges move past a specific point in a circuit.
Current is measured in amperes (A) and is often denoted by the symbol "I."
Current is what actually flows through a circuit, carrying energy from the source (e.g., a battery) to the components (e.g., light bulbs, motors) in the circuit.
In summary, voltage represents the potential energy difference between two points in a circuit, while current represents the flow of electric charge between those points. Voltage is the driving force behind the flow of current. Think of voltage as analogous to water pressure in a pipe, and current as the flow rate of water through the pipe. If there's no voltage difference (no pressure), there won't be any current flow.
Voltage:
Voltage (also known as electric potential difference or electric potential) is the measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge in an electric circuit. It represents the "pressure" or "force" that pushes charged particles (usually electrons) through a conductor.
Voltage is measured in volts (V) and is often denoted by the symbol "V."
Voltage is responsible for creating an electric field that exerts a force on charged particles, causing them to move within a circuit.
Current:
Current is the flow of electric charge (usually electrons) through a conductor per unit of time. It is the rate at which charges move past a specific point in a circuit.
Current is measured in amperes (A) and is often denoted by the symbol "I."
Current is what actually flows through a circuit, carrying energy from the source (e.g., a battery) to the components (e.g., light bulbs, motors) in the circuit.
In summary, voltage represents the potential energy difference between two points in a circuit, while current represents the flow of electric charge between those points. Voltage is the driving force behind the flow of current. Think of voltage as analogous to water pressure in a pipe, and current as the flow rate of water through the pipe. If there's no voltage difference (no pressure), there won't be any current flow.