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Voltages are always measured between two points. Why?

a) Voltage is a scalar quantity.

b) Voltage is a vector quantity.

c) The electric field is always zero between two points.

d) Voltage is a relative measure, requiring two points for reference.

User Quantity
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Final answer:

Voltage is measured between two points because it is a relative measure that requires a reference. It is a scalar quantity, and the zero voltage point is arbitrary, similar to the zero for gravitational potential energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Voltages are always measured between two points because voltage is a relative measure, requiring two points for reference. The correct answer is d) Voltage is a relative measure, requiring two points for reference. Voltage, also known as electric potential difference, is understood to be the difference in potential between two points. For instance, a battery has two terminals, and the voltage of the battery is the potential difference between these terminals.

Furthermore, the electric potential is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude but no direction, unlike the electric field, which is a vector quantity that has both magnitude and direction. The arbitrary nature of a zero voltage point is similar to choosing an arbitrary zero for gravitational potential energy.

User Jonathan Gallagher
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