How is voltage defined in terms of energy?

Voltage is defined as the electrical potential energy per unit charge. This definition encapsulates the essence of what voltage represents in an electrical system. When we say that voltage is the potential energy, we are referring to the ability of an electric field to do work on charged particles, which gives them energy as they move through the field. Specifically, one volt is defined as one joule of energy per coulomb of charge.

This concept is fundamental in electrical theory as it helps in understanding how energy is transferred within a circuit. When a voltage is applied across a component, such as a resistor, it indicates the potential energy available to move charges through that component. This movement of charges constitutes an electric current, which is dependent on both the voltage and the resistance in the circuit, governed by Ohm's law.

In this context, the other options do not accurately represent the definition of voltage. The measure of current flow pertains to the amount of charge passing through a conductor and is not the definition of voltage. The energy consumed by a load relates more to power calculations, which incorporate both voltage and current. Lastly, expressing voltage as total energy divided by resistance does not correctly reflect the relationship defined in electrical systems; rather, it conflates concepts and does not align with