What does a volt measure?

A volt is a unit that specifically measures electric potential energy per unit charge. It quantifies the amount of work needed to move an electric charge between two points in an electric field. In other words, one volt is the potential difference that would move one coulomb of charge with one joule of energy. This measurement is fundamental in understanding how electrical circuits function since it gives insight into how much energy is available to drive the flow of current through a conductor.

For example, in practical applications, when you identify the voltage supplied by a battery, you're determining how much energy is provided to push electric charges through the circuit. Thus, understanding volts is vital for analyzing and designing electrical systems, as it directly relates to the amount of energy available to perform work in those systems.