What is meant by the term "voltage"?

The term "voltage" refers specifically to the electric potential difference between two points in a circuit. It measures how much work is needed to move a unit charge from one point to another, essentially indicating the force that drives electrical current through a conductor.

Voltage is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and is crucial for understanding how circuits operate. When there is a difference in electric potential between two points, it creates an electric field that causes current to flow when a circuit is completed.

Understanding voltage as the potential difference is essential because it helps in analyzing various electrical components and their interactions within a circuit. This definition lays the foundation for concepts such as Ohm's law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance.