Basic Electrical Quantities and Properties

Voltage is the driving force, caused by the potential energy of a chemical or mechanical reaction, that causes electrons to conduct if given a continuous path (circuit). Sometimes called ‘electro-motive force’, EMF, or simply E.

Volts (V)

Other common values:

millivolt (mV)

microvolt (µV)

kilovolt (kV)

Current is the collective unified motion of electrons past a point in a wire, driven by a voltage, and only occurring if given a path, or circuit, from one side of the potential energy source to the other.