What is voltage?

Voltage, also referred to as electric potential difference or electrical tension, indicates the difference in electrical potential between two points in a circuit. It is this difference that drives electric current to flow, as charge moves from an area of higher potential to one of lower potential. Understanding voltage is fundamental to grasping how electrical systems operate, because it sets the stage for current flow.

In practical terms, voltage can be considered the pressure that pushes electric charges through a conductor, much like how pressure in a water system pushes water through pipes. It is measured in volts (V) and is a critical concept in both physics and electrical engineering, linking to how circuits function and how energy is transferred within those circuits.