Which statement correctly defines voltage?

Voltage is correctly defined as the potential energy difference per unit charge. This definition highlights its role in electrical circuits, where voltage represents the energy available to move charge carriers (such as electrons) from one point to another. When there is a voltage across a circuit element, it indicates that there is a difference in electric potential energy between two points, allowing electrons to flow and do work, such as lighting a bulb or powering an appliance.

Understanding voltage in this way helps clarify its significance in electrical systems: it is not just about the movement of electrons but rather the energy available to facilitate that movement. This concept is crucial for comprehending how electrical energy is transformed into other forms of energy in various applications, such as heating, illumination, and mechanical work.

The other definitions do not accurately encapsulate the concept of voltage. While the flow of electrons describes current, it does not capture the notion of potential energy difference. The rate of energy consumption refers more to power, and opposition to the flow of current defines resistance, further demonstrating the distinct nature of voltage as an essential parameter in electrical circuits.