Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

What is the term for the electrical pressure that causes current to flow when a circuit is closed?

1. Resistance

2. Voltage

3. Amperage

4. Current

The correct answer is: Voltage

The term that describes the electrical pressure causing current to flow in a closed circuit is known as voltage. Voltage represents the potential difference in electrical energy between two points in a circuit. It is essential for instigating the movement of electrons — or current — through a conductive pathway. Without sufficient voltage, there would be no motivation for charge carriers to move, and therefore, no current would flow. Voltage can be likened to water pressure in a plumbing system; just as water pressure pushes water through pipes, voltage pushes electric charge through a circuit. Understanding voltage is crucial for anyone working with electrical systems, as it directly influences the behavior of the entire circuit. In contrast, resistance refers to the opposition to the flow of current, while amperage, or current, measures the actual flow of electric charge in the circuit. Each of these terms is important in the realm of electricity, but when it comes to the force or pressure that initiates current flow, voltage is the appropriate term.