statvolt (statV)

The statvolt (symbolized statV) is the unit of electromotive force (EMF) or potential difference in the cgs (centimeter/gram/second) electrostatic system. When an EMF of 1 statV exists between two points, then one erg of energy is needed to move one statcoulomb (1 statC) of charge carriers between those two points.

A potential difference of 1 statV will drive a current of one statampere (1 statA) through a resistance of one statohm (stat W ). Ohm's Law applies for the electrostatic units, just as it does for the units in the International System ( SI ). That is:

E = IR

where E is the EMF in statvolts, I is the current in statamperes, and R is the resistance in statohms.

The statvolt is a fairly large unit of EMF, equal to approximately 299.79 volts (V). In most practical applications, the volt , which is the unit of potential difference in SI, is preferred.

Also see voltage , cgs or small-unit metric system , and International System of Units ( SI ).