What is the driving force that makes current flow in a circuit?

The driving force that makes current flow in a circuit is voltage. Voltage is essentially the electrical potential difference between two points. It can be understood as the pressure that pushes electric charges through a conductor, such as a wire. This potential difference is what facilitates the movement of electrons, creating an electric current in the circuit.

When voltage is applied across a circuit, it creates an electric field that causes electrons to flow from the negative terminal of a power source to the positive terminal. The higher the voltage, the greater the potential it has to drive the current through the circuit, assuming there is a conductive path and the components are functioning correctly.

Resistance, while a critical factor in determining how much current will flow for a given voltage (as described by Ohm's Law), does not itself generate current. Power is a measure of the rate at which energy is consumed or produced in a circuit, not a force that drives the current. Current, on the other hand, is the actual flow of electric charge and results from the presence of voltage in the circuit. Therefore, understanding voltage is key to grasping how electrical systems operate and how current is initiated.