Voltage Education 5-19 T: +44 (0) 1438 767373 E: schools@theiet.org www.theiet.org/education Compare these energy changes Voltage is similar to height Large energy change here Gaining gravitational potential energy Electrons gain electrical potential energy from battery Small energy change here Large energy change Small energy change in wires Change of height indicates the energy changes of the children Potential difference (voltage) measures the energy changes of the electrons 1 volt means 1 joule of energy per coulomb of charge B V2 V1 C F The total voltage across the circuit components equals the battery voltage D V3 Potential difference(V) A 6 A V B V2=2V 4 C D V1=6V 2 V3=4V Voltmeter in parallel Ammeter in series A E 0 The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England & Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SC038698). F E E2F8031D/6000/1208