EMF, P.D and Current
Electromotive Force (EMF)
Electrons are negatively charged and have potential energy. They move freely from a point of high energy level to a point of low energy level. There is driving influence needed to cause the continuous flow of electrons. The driving influence is termed as the electromotive force, hereafter called the EMF. As the name implies, there is a “motive” in the EMF (electro ‘motive’ force) source. But, it is not actually a ‘force’ since it has no dimension.
EMF is that forces which when applied to a circuit of total resistance of 1 Ohm will cause a current of 1 Ampere to flow; or is the potential difference which when applied to the ends of a resistance of 1 Ohm will cause a current of 1 Ampere to flow.
Current
The electrons starting from the negative of the EMF, flows in the external circuit and reaches the positive of the EMF. The electron is attracted towards the positive potential. The flow of electrons is the current. The conventional current flows in the opposite direction to the flow of electrons i.e., the current flow in the external circuit from a positive source of EMF to a negative source of EMF. Within the EMF source, the conventional current flows from a negative to positive EMF. This is a continuous process as long as the external circuit is closed and there is energy in the EMF source. The current flow is continuous. It may be noted that the current is the rate of flow of charge through the circuit.
If we consider a lead acid cell as the source, more energy is now provided by the chemical reactions in the cell source to move the electrons from positive EMF to negative EMF in the internal circuit of EMF sources and helps to continue further rounds.
The following media explains about the EMF and Current Flow in a cell:
VIDEO
Voltage or Potential difference (P.D)
When an electrical source is not connected to an external load circuit, the voltage measured across its terminals is the EMF. When the source is connected to an external loading circuit like a resistance, a current flows and the voltage measured now across the source or the load is the potential difference.
The energy transferred due to the movement of unit charge between two points in a circuit is termed as the potential difference (P.D). It is observed that potential difference has the same effect as EMF. In resistors, the potential difference across their ends serves as the source of EMF.
The representation of P.D is illustrated in the following media.
VIDEO
The source indicated is a battery delivering direct current. The arrow head points towards the point of high potential. An arrow head is also drawn to indicate the corresponding direction of conventional current flow. The current leaves the source at the positive terminal and enters the load at the positive terminal. Hence the current direction is same as that of EMF, but opposite to that of the load P.D arrow. The EMF and P.D are measured in volts, and the unit of current is the ampere.
What happens to the emf when the cell is connected to an external circuit?
Voltage Drop Inside a Cell
As long as the cell is not connected to an external load circuit, the voltage measured across its terminals is the emf. When the cell is connected to an external loading circuit like a resistance, a current flows and the voltage measured now across the cell or the load is the potential difference.
There will be a difference between the emf measured first and the p.d measured later. The p.d will be lower than the emf. This is due to the internal drop in the cell due to the current flowing through the internal resistance of the cell.
The following media explains the Voltage Drop in a Cell in detail.
VIDEO
The following media shows the potential difference through an analogy of water flow between two tanks.
VIDEO
Copyright VIRTUAL GURU © 2024. All Rights Reserved.