Pofential has all the wrong symmetries for being a force.
For instance:
- Potential is a relative measure. It's defined as the integral of E dot d s over some arbitrary path joining two points. In the absence of time-varyi ng B fields, it's independent of the path chosen. Thus you can add a consta nt to the potential everywhere without changing the fields, i.e. without af fecting the operation of circuits.
A circuit inside a continuous metal shield won't even notice if you put it on top of a van de Graaf generator at 400 kV.
If voltage were a force, things would get interesting in there. ;)
- Voltage is a scalar, whereas force is a vector. That is, force has a dir ection, and voltage doesn't. If I increase the voltage on the above shield can, which direction would that push the electrons inside?
Cheers
Phil Hobbs