Convert Voltage from Volt (V) to other units
Multiple conversions

What is a Volt (V)?

The volt (V) is the standard unit used to measure electric potential difference, more commonly known as voltage.

Think of it as the "pressure" from an electrical circuit's power source that pushes charged electrons (current) to flow through a conducting wire.

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Understanding Voltage: The Water Pressure Analogy

The easiest way to understand voltage is to compare it to the water pressure in a pipe.

• Voltage (V) is like the water pressure. It's the force pushing the flow.
• Electric Current (Amps or Amperes) is like the water flow rate. It's the amount of "water" moving.
• A Conductor (Wire) is like the pipe itself, providing the path for the flow.

A higher voltage means more electrical pressure.

This can push more electrical current through the circuit—just like higher water pressure creates a stronger, more powerful flow from a garden hose.

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Who Was the Volt Named After?

The 'volt' is named in honor of Alessandro Volta, the Italian physicist who invented the first chemical battery in 1800.

This invention, known as the voltaic pile, was revolutionary. It was the first source capable of providing a continuous electrical current to a circuit.

This monumental invention cemented Volta's legacy as a pioneer in electrical science, leading to the unit of electromotive force (EMF) being named the 'volt' in his honor in 1881.

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What is the Scientific Definition of a Volt?

While the water analogy is helpful, the volt has a precise scientific definition. It can be defined in two key ways:

1. In relation to energy and charge: One volt is the potential difference required to impart one joule of energy per coulomb of electric charge.
2. In relation to current and power: One volt is the electric potential difference across a wire when an electric current of one ampere dissipates one watt of power.

This relationship is a fundamental principle in electrical engineering.