What is the difference in voltage between two points known as?

The difference in voltage between two points is known as potential difference. This term is widely used in electrical theory to describe the work done to move a unit charge from one point to another in an electric field. In practical terms, it reflects the energy per unit charge available to do work in an electrical circuit, which allows current to flow.

Potential difference is measured in volts and is fundamental to understanding how electrical circuits operate. When a voltage is applied across components such as resistors or capacitors, it influences how much current will flow through those components based on their properties.

While other terms like voltage drop and electrical gradient might be used in various contexts, they do not specifically refer to the measurement between two points as clearly as potential difference does. Voltage drop typically refers to the reduction in voltage as electrical energy is converted to another form along a circuit, while electrical gradient often describes the spatial variation of voltage in a field, which may not relate directly to the difference between two discrete points. Hence, potential difference is the most accurate and relevant term for the difference in voltage between two points.