Last Updated on November 1, 2022 by Francis
EMF is the force that drives current through a circuit. It is always greater than the terminal voltage, which is the voltage across the load resistance. The difference between the two is called the potential drop.
Voltage or Potential difference vs EMF | Easiest Explanation | TheElectricalGuy
When you connect a battery to an electrical circuit, the battery creates a potential difference (voltage) between its terminals. This voltage is called the emf of the battery. The emf is always greater than the terminal voltage because when current flows through the circuit, some of the energy supplied by the battery is used to overcome resistance in the circuit.
What is Terminal Voltage
In electrical engineering, terminal voltage is the voltage across a single terminal of an electrical component such as a resistor, capacitor, or inductor. The other terminal of the component is typically connected to ground. The terminal voltage may also be referred to as the open-circuit voltage.
The concept of terminal voltage is important in circuit analysis because it allows for the determination of voltages across individual components in a circuit without having to solve for the entire circuit. This can be particularly helpful in complex circuits where solving for all voltages would be difficult or impossible.
To calculate the terminal voltage of a component, one must first determine what type of circuit it is in (series or parallel).
In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end so that current flows through each one sequentially. This means that the voltage across each component will be the same as the appliedvoltage (Vapplied) minus any losses due to resistance (IR). Therefore, the formula for calculating terminal voltage in a series circuit is:
Terminal Voltage = Vapplied – IR
where I is the current flowing through the resistor and R is its resistance value.
In contrast, parallel circuits have components that are connected side-by-side so that there are multiple paths for current to flow.
This results in different voltages across each component depending on its individual resistance value. The formula for calculating terminal voltage in a parallel circuit is:
Terminal Voltage = Vapplied / R
where R is the resistive value of the particular component being considered.
Knowing how to calculateterminalvoltage can be extremely helpful when trying to troubleshoot electrical problems because it allows you to isolate individual components and test them independently.
When is Terminal Voltage Equal to Emf
The terminal voltage of a cell is equal to its emf when there is no current flowing through the cell. This occurs when the cell is not connected to any external circuit. The emf of a cell can be measured with a voltmeter.
Why is Terminal Voltage Less Than Emf
The terminal voltage of a battery is always less than the emf. This is because there is always some internal resistance in the battery that causes a voltage drop. The amount of this voltage drop depends on the size of the battery and the load being placed on it.
It is Always Less Than Emf
If you’re like most people, you probably think that EMF stands for electromagnetic field. And you wouldn’t be wrong – but only partially so. EMF is actually an abbreviation for electro motive force.
This refers to the force that drives electrons through a conductor – such as a wire. The higher the voltage (or potential difference), the greater the force and hence the greater the current that can flow through the conductor.
So what does this have to do with always being less than EMF?
Well, it turns out that in many cases, the actual voltage of a given circuit may be lower than the electro motive force driving it. This can happen for several reasons, but one of them is simply due to resistance within the circuit itself. As electrons flow through a resistor, they encounter resistance which transforms some of their energy into heat (this is how lightbulbs work).
This reduces the overall voltage of the circuit, meaning that there will always be some loss between EMF and voltage.
Emf Meaning
What is EMF?
EMF stands for electromagnetic field. It’s a type of energy that is both invisible and all around us.
EMF comes from natural sources like the sun, as well as man-made sources like power lines and cell phones.
There is some debate over whether or not exposure to EMF can be harmful to our health. Some experts believe that it can cause everything from headaches and fatigue to cancer.
However, there is no definitive proof that EMF exposure is dangerous.
If you’re concerned about your exposure to EMF, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk. For example, you can limit your use of electronics, keep your distance from power lines, and avoid using cell phones when reception is poor.
You can also purchase products that claim to block or reduce EMF exposure.

Credit: aklectures.com
Can Emf Be Greater Than Terminal Voltage?
Yes, the EMF can be greater than the terminal voltage. When this happens, it is called “back EMF.” The back EMF opposes the applied voltage and limits the current.
Why is Terminal Voltage of a Cell Less Than Its Emf?
When a cell is in use, the voltage drop across the internal resistance of the cell causes the terminal voltage to be less than the emf. The amount of this voltage drop depends on the current flowing through the cell and the internal resistance of the cell.
Why is Voltage Smaller Than Emf?
Voltage, also called electromotive force (emf), is the difference in electric potential energy between two points in a circuit. Voltage is not constant; it can change with time or with the addition or removal of charge. The SI unit for voltage is the volt (V).
The emf of a battery or other power source is the potential difference across its terminals when no current is flowing. The emf is sometimes also called the terminal voltage of the power source. For example, if a 1.5 V battery has an emf of 1.5 V, this means that there is a potential difference of 1.5 V between its positive and negative terminals when no current flows through it.
The emf is not affected by whether or not there is a load connected to the power source; it will be the same regardless.
One reason why voltage might be smaller than emf has to do with resistance within the circuit itself. If there are resistors present in the circuit, they will use up some of the potential difference and reduce the overall voltage across the circuit.
Can Terminal Potential Be Greater Than Emf Why?
Yes, terminal potential can be greater than emf. The reason is that when a battery is connected to a load, the current flowing through the load will cause a voltage drop across the load resistance. This voltage drop will be added to the battery’s terminal voltage, resulting in a total voltage that is greater than the battery’s emf.
Conclusion
If you have ever wondered why the EMF in a circuit is greater than the terminal voltage, you are not alone. It’s a common question that can be explained by physics. In a nutshell, the answer has to do with the fact that an electrochemical reaction occurs when current flows through a conductor.
This reaction creates an electromotive force (EMF) that opposes the flow of current. The result is that the EMF is always slightly higher than the terminal voltage.