volt

SI unit of electromotive force or electric potential (see potential, electric). A small battery usually has a potential of one or two volts; the domestic electricity supply in the USA is 110 volts. A high-tension transmission line may carry up to 765,000 volts.

The absolute volt is defined as the potential difference necessary to produce a current of one ampere through an electric circuit with a resistance of one ohm. It can also be defined as the potential difference that requires one joule of work to move a positive charge of one coulomb from the lower to the higher potential. It is named after the Italian scientist Alessandro Volta.