What does voltage represent in an electrical circuit?

Voltage represents the electric potential difference between two points in a circuit and is often described as the pressure that pushes electrons through a conductor. This analogy of pressure is useful because, just as water pressure drives water through pipes, voltage drives electric current through a circuit. Higher voltage means there is a greater potential difference, which can result in more current flowing if the circuit allows it.

Understanding voltage as a form of electrical pressure is crucial, as it directly impacts how efficiently electricity can move through a circuit and enables different electrical components to function as designed. While other concepts like current (the flow of electricity) and resistance (the opposition to current flow) play significant roles in a circuit's behavior, voltage specifically pertains to the force motivating that flow of electrons.