What unit is commonly used to measure potential difference or voltage?

The commonly used unit for measuring potential difference, or voltage, is volts. Voltage is defined as the electric potential difference between two points in an electric field and represents the force that pushes electric charge through a conductor. One volt is defined as the potential difference that would drive one ampere of current against one ohm of resistance.

Understanding this concept is crucial in the context of electrical systems, as voltage plays a significant role in determining how much current will flow in a circuit, which directly affects the operation of electrical equipment and safety measures in fire and explosion investigations. In contrast, amperes measure current flow, watts quantify power, and ohms measure resistance, all of which are important concepts but relate to different aspects of electrical equations and principles.