potential drop

[pəˈtenʃəl drɑp]
nounpl: potential drops
queda de potencial
1. The decrease in electric potential energy across a component or conductor in an electrical circuit, resulting from the flow of current through resistance
The potential drop across the resistor is 5 volts.
A queda de potencial no resistor é de 5 volts.
2. The voltage loss that occurs when current flows through a conductor or circuit element
We measured the potential drop using a voltmeter to troubleshoot the circuit.
Medimos a queda de potencial usando um voltímetro para diagnosticar o circuito.
This is a technical term primarily used in physics and electrical engineering education and professional contexts in both Brazil and the United States. It is fundamental to understanding circuit analysis based on Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Voltage Law.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
voltage droppotential differencevoltage lossIR drop
Antonyms / Antônimos
potential risevoltage rise

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
queda de potencial
Standard technical term used in electrical engineering contexts
Portugal
queda de potencial
Same terminology used in Portuguese electrical engineering
Technical contexts
queda de tensão
Alternative term sometimes used interchangeably in Brazil and Portugal

Related Words

resistanceOhm's lawcurrentvoltageelectromotive forceconductivity

Related Idioms & Phrases

across the resistor
through the conductor
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