Which electrical measurement indicates the potential difference that drives current?

Voltage is the measurement that indicates the potential difference driving electric current through a circuit. It represents the force or pressure that pushes electrons through a conductor. In practical terms, when voltage is applied to a circuit, it creates an electric field that encourages the flow of current.

Understanding voltage is crucial because it not only helps determine how much current will flow based on the resistance in the circuit (as described by Ohm's Law), but it also signifies the energy per unit charge available to move charges through the circuit. Thus, voltage is often referred to as the electrical "pressure" that enables current to flow, making it a fundamental concept in electricity and electrical engineering.

In contrast, while power is the rate at which energy is used or produced, current measures the flow of electric charge, and energy quantifies the ability to do work. Each of these measurements plays an important role in electrical systems, but voltage specifically relates directly to the potential difference that is necessary for current flow.