Q1CQ - College Physics (Urone)

Question

Voltage is the common word for potential difference. Which term is more descriptive, voltage or potential difference?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The term "potential difference" is more descriptive because it refers to the difference in electric potential between two places.

Step 1: Definition of Concept

If a particle with charge q moves between two points A and B where the electric potentials are V_A and V_B respectively. The change in the electric potential energy of the system is given as 

\(\Delta PE = q\Delta V\)

Step 2 : Explaining which term is more descriptive

The more accurate term for voltage is potential difference, which is the difference in electric potential between two places, as the name implies. The difference in electrical potential energy between two places per unit charge is also known as the potential difference.