Why is electromotive force not a force in the traditional sense?

Electromotive force is not a force in the traditional sense because it is actually a measure of energy, not a physical force.

Electromotive force, often abbreviated as emf, is a bit of a misnomer. Despite its name, it is not a force like gravity or friction. Instead, it is a measure of the energy provided by a source, such as a battery or generator, per unit charge that passes through it. It is measured in volts, which are units of energy per unit charge, not units of force.

The term 'force' in electromotive force can be misleading. In physics, a force is something that can cause an object with mass to change its velocity, which includes to begin moving from a state of rest, to stop moving, or to change its direction of motion. Forces are vectors, meaning they have both magnitude and direction, and they can cause acceleration.

However, emf does not cause acceleration or motion in this way. Instead, it provides the energy needed to move electric charges around a circuit. This energy is used to overcome the resistance in the circuit, which does oppose the motion of the charges, much like a traditional force. But the emf itself is not a force opposing the motion of the charges.

In summary, electromotive force is a measure of energy, not a physical force. It is the energy provided by a source per unit charge that passes through it. Despite its name, it does not act like a traditional force causing acceleration or motion. Instead, it provides the energy needed to move electric charges around a circuit.