Electrical Potential and Voltage

Unit of Electrical Potential - The Volt

• Electrical potential, or voltage, is the electrical energy stored in a system.
• Voltage is analogous to a ball at the top of a hill with the potential to do work when rolling downhill, a charged object has the potential to do work when in an electric field.
• Chapter 26.3 in the book covers this topic.

Definitions

• Electric Potential (Voltage) measures the electrical energy stored in a system.
• An electric field is a region around a charged object that exerts electrostatic force.
• Potential difference is the difference in electric potential between two points, measurable with a voltmeter.
• Voltage drop is the decrease in voltage across a component due to work done.
• Power systems generate, transmit, and distribute electrical power.
• Electronics is the engineering branch dealing with the design and application of electronic devices.
• Instrumentation uses instruments to measure and monitor physical quantities.
• A voltmeter is a device that is used to measure voltage.
• A resistor is an electrical component opposing electric current flow.
• A circuit is the interconnection of electrical components forming a path for electric current.

Key Points

• An electric field is a region around a charged object exerting electrostatic force.
• Potential difference occurs between two points which is typically measured by a voltmeter.
• Voltage drop happens because of decrease in voltage across a component in a circuit due to the work done by it.

Importance in Bacolod, Western Visayas, Philippines

• Understanding electric potential and voltage is important, especially with Bacolod's rapidly developing infrastructure that heavily relies on electricity for its daily operations.
• Knowledge of electrical concepts allows residents to safely use electrical devices, troubleshoot issues, and manage the city's power grid efficiently.
• A strong grasp of electric potential is essential for students in technical or engineering careers to understand and work with electrical systems.

Relation to Engineering Utilities

• As an engineering student, understanding electric potential and voltage is vital for studying engineering utilities.
• Knowledge equips students with the skills to analyze, design, and maintain essential electrical systems for the city.
• Mastering these concepts ensures effective contribution to sustainable engineering solutions for Bacolod and its surrounding communities.