Electromotive force (emf) for the confused

Abstract

Abstract The electromotive force (emf) is a topic that is introduced in high school and undergraduate physics courses, but the numerous expressions for this quantity in different scenarios often lead to confusion among students. In addition, emf and potential difference are often treated as the same concept when being taught to students, and several misconceptions may arise from not distinguishing between the two. This paper aims to demonstrate the difference between the two quantities from their definitions and through the use of several examples, including the conceptual challenges when it comes to voltmeter measurements. This is expected to be of great interest to educators and students alike, as proper teaching of the topic will allow students to have a more thorough understanding of the effects of electromagnetic fields.