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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of electromotive force

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule states that the sum of the voltage drops across resistors, inductors, and capacitors is equal to the total electromotive force in a closed circuit.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Applying Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule to this circuit, we let E denote the electromotive force supplied by the voltage generator.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

The electromotive force becomes the right-hand side of Equation 4.24.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

We thus use the name electromotive force, abbreviated emf.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

On the terminals of the condenser the electromotive force was about 120 volts, and from there inch by inch it gradually fell until at the terminals of the machine it was about 65 volts.

From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Martin, Thomas Commerford