what is potential difference

Potential difference, also known as voltage, is the difference in electric potential between two points. It is the amount of energy that charge carriers have between two points in a circuit. Potential difference is measured in volts (V) and is transferred to the electrical components in a circuit when the charge carriers pass through them. A voltmeter is used to measure potential difference. The formula for potential difference is V = I x R, where V is the potential difference, I is the current, and R is the resistance. One volt is equivalent to one joule per coulomb. The electric potential difference or voltage of a battery is the potential energy difference across its terminals for every Coulomb of charge.