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ASVAB · Electricity Basics

What is voltage best described as?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

The electrical 'pressure' or potential difference that pushes current through a circuit

  1. A The electrical 'pressure' or potential difference that pushes current through a circuit
  2. B The resistance of a material
  3. C The flow of current
  4. D The frequency of a signal

Why this is the answer

Voltage is the electrical potential difference between two points — often described as the 'pressure' that pushes electric charge (current) through a circuit. It is measured in volts. A helpful water analogy: voltage is like the water pressure in a pipe, current is the rate of water flow, and resistance is the narrowing of the pipe that opposes flow. Without a voltage difference, no current flows. Distinguishing voltage (the push), current (the flow), and resistance (the opposition) — and how Ohm's law links them — is the foundation of the Electronics subtest.
Source: ASVAB Electronics Information — Voltage

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About this topic: Electricity Basics

Electricity basics define the quantities everything else depends on: voltage, current, resistance and power, their units, and the difference between AC and DC, conductors and insulators. This is one of 13 Electronics Information questions on electricity basics, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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