Question

What does the voltmeter connected to the two terminals of a cell read-emf or terminal potential difference?

Answer 1

Electromotive Force:

EMF of a cell or battery is the total voltage or potential difference developed between the two terminals of the cell/battery when the two terminals are in open circuit condition. Or. the EMF of a cell/battery is the potential difference built between the two terminals of the cell/battery when no current is being drawn from it. To measure the EMF of a cell/battery we can simply connect a voltmeter two the two terminals of the cell or battery.

EMF of a cell depends upon the physical and electrical properties of the electrodes and electrolytes used to build the cell and EMF of a battery depends upon the EMF of the cell , numbers of cells and the cells combination types used to build the battery.