What is the difference between Electromotive Force (EMF) and Potential Difference?

Electromotive force is abbreviated, 'emf.' It refers to the total amount of voltage generated by a source or battery in a circuit. Electromotive force is a non-physical force or energy that is required to move a positive unit charge from the negative panel to the positive panel of a circuit when opened. Emf was also formally defined as the force required separating two unlike charges from each other. Emf is denoted with the ‘epilson’ signal, and its unit is voltage.

So, we can describe the electromotive force is the maximum voltage level that a circuit can attain. On the other hand, the potential difference can be said to be the ratio of work done per unit charge to convey a charge between the positive and negative terminal of a battery. In a closed circuit, a particular portion of the electromagnetic force is required to overcome the internal resistance of that battery. The energy required to do this is referred to as a potential difference.

Both Electromotive force (emf) and potential difference are two important terms in physics, especially when considering the electrical aspect of physics. The two terms are often referred to when calculating the energy produced by a battery. However, there are some differences between electromotive force and potential difference, and they will be discussed in relation to their definition.

Electromotive force can be defined as the maximum voltage a battery can transfer in terms of its capacity. This means, it is total energy which is being supplied to 1 coulomb of charge by a battery, and it is measured in volt. Potential difference, on the other hand, is the difference in potential energy between two points of an electric field. It is the total amount of energy or work done in moving a unit charge from one point to another in an electric circuit. It is also measured in volt. The value of the potential difference is usually less than that of electromotive force.