What is the Difference Between Amps and Volts?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Amps and volts are both measures of electricity, but they represent different aspects of an electrical circuit. The main differences between them are:
- Volts (V): Volts are the unit of electric potential difference, or the size of the force that sends the electrons through a circuit. It can be compared to the pressure that forces fluid through a pump hose.
- Amps (A): Amps, sometimes called amperes or amperage, are the unit used to measure electric current. Current is a count of the number of electrons flowing through a circuit.
In summary:
- Volts represent the force that pushes electrons through a circuit.
- Amps represent the flow of electrons in a circuit.
These two measures are interconnected, as current (amps) is determined by the voltage (volts) and the resistance in the circuit. To calculate the current in a circuit, use the formula: Current (A) = Voltage (V) / Resistance (Ω).
Comparative Table: Amps vs Volts
Here is a table comparing the differences between amps and volts:
Property | Amps | Volts |
---|---|---|
Definition | Amps are the unit of measurement for electrical current, representing the flow rate or amount of electric charge passing through a conductor per unit of time. | Volts are the unit of measurement for electrical voltage, representing the difference in electrical potential, or the number of electrons, between any two points in an electrical circuit. |
Unit of Measurement | Ampere (A) | Volts (V) |
Relationship with Power | Directly proportional | Directly proportional |
Relationship with Resistance | Inversely proportional | Directly proportional |
Formula | I = Q/t | V = J/C |
History | Named after Andre-Marie Ampere, a French mathematician and physicist. | Named after Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist. |
To convert watts into amps or volts, use the formula: Watts = Amps × Volts.
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