Which statement best describes voltage?

• A. It measures the force that pushes electrons
• B. It measures current
• C. It measures resistance
• D. It measures power

Answer: (A)

Voltage is the electrical potential difference that acts as the push that moves electric charges through a circuit. When there’s a higher potential on one side than the other, charges experience a force that drives them to move, creating current. This is why voltage is described as the force that pushes electrons.

In contrast, current is the actual flow rate of electrons, measured in amperes; resistance is the opposition to that flow, measured in ohms; and power is the rate at which energy is transferred, measured in watts. Voltage sets up the conditions for current to flow, but the amount of current depends on the circuit’s resistance.