What does voltage represent in an electrical circuit?

Voltage represents the driving force that causes electrical current to flow through a circuit. It can be thought of as the potential difference between two points in an electrical system, indicating the amount of energy per unit charge that is available to push the charge through the circuit. Essentially, higher voltage means a greater force pushing the electrons, which results in a stronger current if resistance remains constant according to Ohm’s law (V = IR).

Understanding that voltage is the "push" behind current flow is fundamental in electrical theory. This concept is crucial for electricians to grasp, as it plays a significant role in the design and troubleshooting of electrical systems. The other choices address different aspects of electricity but do not accurately define what voltage itself represents in the context of a circuit.