Sähkövarauseroja

Sähkövarauseroja, often translated as electric potential difference or voltage, refers to the difference in electric potential between two points in an electric field. This difference is the driving force that causes electric charge to flow, creating an electric current. It is measured in volts (V), named after the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta.

The concept of electric potential difference arises from the work done to move a unit positive charge from one point to another against the electric field. A higher potential difference means more work is required, or conversely, more energy is released when charge moves through it. Batteries and generators are common sources of electric potential difference, creating a voltage across their terminals.

In a simple circuit, voltage is the "push" that moves electrons through a conductor. For example, a 1.5-volt battery will cause a charge to move with an associated energy change equivalent to 1.5 joules per coulomb of charge. Ohm's law, a fundamental principle in electrical engineering, directly relates voltage, current, and resistance: V = IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance. Understanding sähkövarauseroja is crucial for analyzing and designing electrical systems.