electromotive force

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. the energy available for conversion from nonelectric to electric form, or vice versa, per unit of charge passing through the source of the energy; the potential difference between the terminals of a source of electrical energy: expressed in volts. emf, EMF, E.M.F., e.m.f.

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electromotive force British  

noun

1. physics

   1. a source of energy that can cause a current to flow in an electrical circuit or device

   2.  E.  Abbreviation: emf.   EMF.  the rate at which energy is drawn from this source when unit current flows through the circuit or device, measured in volts Compare potential difference

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electromotive force Scientific  

1. Electric potential or voltage. Electromotive force is not really a force, but a measure of how much work would be done by moving an electric charge.

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Etymology

Origin of electromotive force

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

As long as all the grid-connected generators are balanced with the power demand on the grid, the torque applied by the turbine is precisely balanced by the electromotive force in the coils.

From Forbes

The watt is the work per second done by an electromotive force of 1 volt in driving a current of 1 ampere, and is equal to 10 million ergs or 1 joule per second.

From Project Gutenberg

From this result Thomson proceeded to calculate the electromotive forces required to effect chemical changes of different kinds, and those of various types of voltaic cell.

From Project Gutenberg

As this time is greater than half the period, it occurs that an opposing electromotive force begins to act while the current is still flowing.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever sets up the electric disturbance, whether it be the action of sulphuric acid on zinc, or caustic potash on iron, etc., is called electromotive force, generally abbreviated E.M.F.

From Project Gutenberg