What is voltage?

What is voltage?

• A. Electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.
• B. Electrical current.
• C. Electrical resistance.
• D. Power.

Answer: (A)

Voltage is the potential difference (also called electromotive force) between two points in a circuit, expressed in volts. This captures the energy per unit charge that is available to move charges from one point to another, creating the push that drives current. The unit volt is defined as one joule of energy per coulomb of charge. So a source with 9 volts provides 9 joules per coulomb as charges move between points. Electrical current is the actual flow of charges, not the push itself; resistance is what opposes that flow, and power is the rate at which energy is transferred (P = VI). In short, voltage is the electrical pressure or potential difference that makes current possible.

Voltage is the potential difference (also called electromotive force) between two points in a circuit, expressed in volts. This captures the energy per unit charge that is available to move charges from one point to another, creating the push that drives current. The unit volt is defined as one joule of energy per coulomb of charge. So a source with 9 volts provides 9 joules per coulomb as charges move between points. Electrical current is the actual flow of charges, not the push itself; resistance is what opposes that flow, and power is the rate at which energy is transferred (P = VI). In short, voltage is the electrical pressure or potential difference that makes current possible.