Charge and currentVoltage

Current is a flow of electrical charge. Voltage measures the energy carried by the charge flowing in a circuit. This electrical energy is transferred in the circuit into light, heat and movement.

Part ofPhysicsRevise: Electricity

Voltage

is a measure of the difference in electrical energy between two parts of a circuit. The bigger the difference in energy, the bigger the voltage.

Voltage is measured in . The symbol for volts is \(V\). For example, \(230V\) is a bigger voltage than \(12V\).

Measuring voltage

Voltage is measured using a . Some types of voltmeter have a pointer on a dial, but most have a digital readout. To measure the voltage across a in a circuit, you must connect the voltmeter in with it.

Circuit with cell, lamp and voltmeter. The voltmeter is connected in parallel to the lamp
Figure caption,
Circuit with cell, lamp and voltmeter. The voltmeter is connected in parallel to the lamp

You can measure the voltage across a cell or . The more cells, the bigger the voltage.

One circuit has a voltage of 1.5V. A lamp and a voltmeter are connected. The other circuit has a voltage of 4.5V. It has a lamp and a voltmeter connected
Figure caption,
Two circuits with different voltages