What does voltage drive in an electrical circuit?

In an electrical circuit, voltage is the driving force that causes electric charges to move, which results in the flow of current. This flow of current is directly related to the voltage applied across the circuit and is governed by Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R). Therefore, when a voltage is applied, it creates an electric field that pushes electrons through the circuit, leading to the generation of current.

While other elements like resistance, capacitance, and inductance affect the behavior and characteristics of the circuit, they do not drive the current on their own. Resistance opposes the flow of current, capacitance stores electrical energy temporarily, and inductance relates to the magnetic field created by the current, but none of these properties initiate the movement of charge that constitutes current flow. Thus, the correct understanding of voltage is that it is the source that drives currents in an electrical circuit.