What is the purpose of a voltmeter?

A voltmeter is specifically designed to measure voltage, which is the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. It does this by connecting across the components in the circuit where the voltage needs to be measured. The measurement is typically expressed in volts.

The voltmeter operates by using a high internal resistance to ensure that it does not draw significant current from the circuit, which could disturb the operation of the circuit and lead to inaccurate measurements. It's crucial to use the voltmeter correctly by placing it in parallel with the component being measured, as this configuration allows it to accurately assess the voltage across that component.

Understanding the function of a voltmeter is foundational in electronics and physics, as voltage is a key parameter that influences how electrical circuits operate.