In the context of electricity and circuits, "potential rise" and "potential drop" refer to changes in electric potential (voltage) as current flows through a circuit. These terms are used to describe how the voltage changes across different components in a circuit.
Potential Rise:
A potential rise, also known as a voltage rise or voltage source, occurs when a component in a circuit provides energy to increase the electric potential of the charges passing through it. This results in an increase in voltage from the point of reference (usually the ground or common point in the circuit) to the point after the component. Voltage sources like batteries or generators are examples of components that can cause a potential rise in a circuit. They provide the energy needed to maintain a voltage difference across the circuit.
Potential Drop:
A potential drop, also known as a voltage drop, occurs when a component in a circuit consumes or dissipates energy, leading to a decrease in the electric potential of the charges passing through it. This results in a decrease in voltage from the point before the component to the point after the component. Resistors, which impede the flow of current, are the most common components that cause potential drops. As current flows through a resistor, some of the electrical energy is converted into heat, causing a decrease in voltage across the resistor.
In a closed circuit, the sum of potential rises is equal to the sum of potential drops. This is a fundamental principle known as Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL), which states that the algebraic sum of the voltages in any closed loop of a circuit is equal to zero.
Mathematically, for a closed loop with 'n' components:
Σ Potential Rises = Σ Potential Drops
This law helps ensure the conservation of energy in an electrical circuit and forms the basis for analyzing and solving complex circuits.
Keep in mind that electric potential is often measured in volts (V), and potential rise and potential drop are concepts used to describe changes in voltage as current flows through various components in a circuit.