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Voltage is the electromotive force that provides energy to move electrons through a conductor. It represents the energy required to transport a unit charge between two points in a circuit, typically supplied by a battery or generator. Voltage is measured in volts and is essential for establishing current flow in electric circuit elements.

Voltage notation Vab between points a and b can be interpreted two ways: point a is at a potential Vab volts higher than point b, or the potential at point a relative to point b is Vab. The plus and minus signs indicate polarity direction. A voltage drop from a to b equals a voltage rise from b to a.

DC voltage is constant and typically produced by batteries, used in portable equipment. AC voltage varies sinusoidally with time and is produced by electric generators, supplied to homes for operating appliances. Both types deliver energy to move charges, but differ in consistency and source.

Voltage is defined as the energy or work required to move a unit charge between two points. Mathematically, voltage equals work divided by charge, where work is measured in joules and charge in coulombs. This relationship shows voltage as the energy per unit charge transferred through a circuit element.

Voltage polarity, indicated by plus and minus signs, determines the direction of potential difference between two points. A positive voltage means point a is at higher potential than point b; negative voltage indicates the opposite. Polarity is essential for understanding current direction and energy flow in circuits.

Voltage is called potential difference because it represents the difference in electric potential energy between two points in a circuit. It quantifies how much potential energy exists per unit charge at one point relative to another. This terminology emphasizes that voltage measures the relative energy state between two locations.

An external force called electromotive force, or EMF, provides voltage in battery-powered circuits. This force does work on charges to move them through the conductor, creating the potential difference needed for current flow. Batteries are common sources of constant DC voltage in portable electronic devices.