Jänniteyksikkö

Jänniteyksikkö, commonly known as voltage, is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and physics. It represents the electric potential difference between two points in an electric field. This difference is what drives electric charge, causing current to flow. Think of it as the "pressure" that pushes electrons through a circuit.

The standard unit for measuring voltage is the volt, abbreviated as V, named after the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta. One volt is defined as the electric potential difference across a conductor when one ampere of current flows through it and the power dissipated is one watt. In simpler terms, if you apply one volt across a resistance, one ampere of current will flow.

Voltage can be generated by various sources, including batteries, generators, and power supplies. It can be either direct current (DC), where the voltage remains constant in polarity, or alternating current (AC), where the voltage periodically reverses direction. Understanding jänniteyksikkö is crucial for analyzing and designing electrical circuits, as it directly relates to the energy transferred and the behavior of electrical components. High voltage can be dangerous, necessitating safety precautions when working with electrical systems.