electromotive force
English Meaning & Definitions
The electrical action produced by a non-electrical source (such as a electrochemical cell or generator), or the potential difference between the terminals of a source in an open circuit, measured in volts.
- “The battery provided an electromotive force of 12 volts across the circuit.”
- “Measuring the open-circuit electromotive force helps determine the internal resistance of the cell.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “electromotive force”.
Coined in the 19th century, combining 'electro-' (referring to electricity, derived from Greek elektron meaning 'amber') and 'motive' (from Latin motivus, 'moving' or 'causing motion'), coupled with 'force' (from Old French fors). Although historically termed a 'force', it is actually a potential difference or energy per unit charge, a distinction clarified with the development of modern electromagnetism.
Think of it as the 'electricity-moving engine' (motive = motion) that pushes electrical charge through a circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions About “electromotive force”
1. What is the meaning of “electromotive force” in English?
In English, electromotive force (noun) is defined as: “The electrical action produced by a non-electrical source (such as a electrochemical cell or generator), or the potential difference between the terminals of a source in an open circuit, measured in volts.”.
2. How do you use “electromotive force” in a sentence?
“The battery provided an electromotive force of 12 volts across the circuit.”
3. What are English synonyms of “electromotive force”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “electromotive force”?
Coined in the 19th century, combining 'electro-' (referring to electricity, derived from Greek elektron meaning 'amber') and 'motive' (from Latin motivus, 'moving' or 'causing motion'), coupled with 'force' (from Old French fors). Although historically termed a 'force', it is actually a potential difference or energy per unit charge, a distinction clarified with the development of modern electromagnetism.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.