Question

What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two points is $1{\text{ }}V$?

Answer 1

Potential difference is defined as the amount of work required to bring a unit positive charge from one point to another point. Potential difference is measured in volts. It is denoted as $V$.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Potential difference is defined as the amount of work required to bring a unit positive charge from one point to another point in a circuit. It is denoted by the symbol $V$. It is measured in $volts$.
From the definition we found out that,
The potential difference between two points is said to be $1{\text{ }}V$ means that $1{\text{ Joule}}$ of work is done to bring $1{\text{ }}Coulomb$ of charge from one point to another point.
Thus it can be written as $1{\text{ }}Volt = \dfrac{{1{\text{ Joule}}}}{{1{\text{ }}Columb}}$
So, the formula of potential difference stands as $V = \dfrac{W}{q}$ where $W$ is the work done, $q$ is the amount of charge and $V$ is the potential difference.
Additional information: A voltmeter is used to measure the potential difference between two points. Mostly, the ground is considered to be one of the points as a reference potential. A voltage usually represents an energy or electromotive force which is either lost, used or stored. Potential difference can also be defined in terms of Ohm’s Law as $V = IR$, where $V$ is the potential difference, $I =$ current and $R =$resistance.

Note: Potential difference is mainly caused physically by the charge carriers in an electric field and also magnetic field. A small amount of potential difference is even set up in electrochemical processes. Electromotive force $(E.m.f.)$ is also a kind of potential difference for open electrochemical circuits.