What is voltage defined as in electricity?

Voltage is defined as the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. It represents the energy per unit charge that is available to move electrons from one point to another. This concept is fundamental to understanding how electrical systems operate, as it correlates with the ability to do work; higher voltage means there is a greater potential for energy transfer.

When you think about voltage, consider it as the "push" that drives the flow of current through a circuit. Without this potential difference, there would be no movement of charge carriers, meaning no current flow would occur. This characteristic makes voltage a key component in the study of electricity and electrical engineering.

Understanding why voltage is described this way has important implications for analyzing circuits and systems, such as determining how much energy will be transferred when current flows or how much resistance impacts the efficiency of the transmission of electrical energy.