What is the basic definition of voltage?

Voltage is fundamentally defined as the electric potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. It represents the work done to move a unit charge from one point to another and is measured in volts (V). This potential difference is what drives electric charge to move through a conductor, creating current. In essence, higher voltage means a greater potential energy available to move charges, which translates to stronger electrical forces pushing charges through the circuit.

The other options relate to different concepts in electricity: the flow of electric charge pertains to current, which is the movement of electrons; resistance refers to how much a material opposes the flow of current; and the measure of current over time does not accurately describe voltage, but rather pertains to the concept of charge flow over time. Understanding voltage as the potential difference is crucial for grasping how electrical systems function within HVACR applications.