Question

What is meant by the voltage drop across a cell?

Answer 1

1. The difference in potential between two points in a circuit is called the potential drop.
2. Current flows from higher potential to lower potential.
3. The potential drop is related to current and resistance by the ohm's law.
4. It is the voltage difference between the two terminals of a circuit element like resistor-capacitor etc.
5. For current to pass through the element that is the flow of electrons to occur, there has to be a potential or voltage drop.
6. Every cell has two terminals - positive and negative.
7. The positive terminal of the cell is at higher potential whereas the negative terminal is at the lower potential.
8. The difference in potential between the terminals of the cell is known as the potential drop or voltage of the cell.
9. The potential drop in a cell is constant and it is due to the chemical reaction that has taken place inside it.
10. So, a cell can be used as a constant voltage source.