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Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance
The electromotive force () or e.m.f. is the energy provided by a cell or battery per
coulomb of charge passing through it, it is measured in volts (V). It is equal to the
potential difference across the terminals of the cell when no current is flowing.
= electromotive force in volts, V
E = energy in joules, J
Q = charge in coulombs, C
Batteries and cells have an internal resistance (r) which is measures in ohm’s ().
When electricity flows round a circuit the internal resistance of the cell itself resists the flow
of current and so thermal (heat) energy is wasted in the cell itself.
= electromotive force in volts, V
I = current in amperes, A
R = resistance of the load in the circuit in ohms,
r = internal resistance of the cell in ohms,
http://physicsnet.co.uk/alevelphysicsasa2/currentelectricity/electromotiveforceandinternalresistance/ 1/3
6/3/2017 Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance
We can rearrange the above equation;
and then to
In this equation (V) appears which is the terminal potential difference, measured in
volts (V). This is the potential difference across the terminals of the cell when current is
flowing in the circuit, it is always less than the e.m.f. of the cell.
Example;
Q1) The p.d. across the terminals of a cell is 3.0 volts when it is not connected to a circuit
and no current is flowing. When the cell is connected to a circuit and a current of 0.37 A is
flowing the terminal p.d. falls to 2.8 V. What is the internal resistance of the cell?
A graph of terminal p.d. against current
If we plot a graph of terminal potential difference (V) against the current in the circuit (I) we
get a straight line with a negative gradient.
http://physicsnet.co.uk/alevelphysicsasa2/currentelectricity/electromotiveforceandinternalresistance/ 2/3
6/3/2017 Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance
We can them rearrange the e.m.f. equation from above to match the general experesion for a
straight line, y = mx +c.
We can see from the red boxes above that;
the intercept on the yaxis is equal to the e.m.f. of the cell
the gradient of the graph is equal to r where r is the internal resistance of the cell.
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