E.m.f. and potential
The terms electromotive force and potential are often used as if they mean the same thing. Although they have some features in common, they are not quite identical. This chapter helps you to understand the difference between them.
A source of electromotive force
Electric cells are very often used as sources of electromotive force (e.m.f.). In Chapter 1, we explained how the e.m.f. of the cell gives rise to a field between the terminals of the cell, and how the force produced by this field drives electrons around the circuit from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the cell.
There are many types of cell but, to illustrate the principles of the way cells work, we will look at a simple wet cell. One of the simplest ...
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