Question

difference between e.m.f and potential difference?

Answer 1

EMF , is electronic force, refers to the voltage of developed by an electrical source.. potential refers to the observed difference in voltage between any two points in an open circuit.

Answer 2

Hello everyone...

Before going to difference between them, I would like to mention the terms potential difference and voltage are same.Potential difference between point A and B is also known as the voltage between point A and point B.

So the main difference is between potential difference(voltage) and electromotive force.

Electromotive force

The Electromotive force (e) or e.m.f. is the energy provided by a cell or battery per coulomb of charge passing through it, it is measured in volts (V). It is the potential difference across the terminals of the cell when no current is flowing(open circuited)

It remains constant.

EMF is the cause.

Potential difference:

It is the amount of work to be done to move a unit positive charge from one point to another point. It is also measured in volts(V).

Potential difference does not remains constant.

Potential difference is the result.

Here is a simple explanation:

When we say EMF of a device is 5 V it means the device supplies the energy 5 V Joules to each coulomb of charge.When we say potential difference between point A and B is 5 V it means each coulomb of charge will give up an energy of 5 V Joules in moving from A to B.

Hope this helps!!