What is applied voltage in a circuit?

Applied voltage in a circuit refers to the voltage that is effectively provided to the circuit components when the circuit is operational and current is flowing. This is defined as the voltage across the component or load being supplied during the normal operation, which includes the impact of any resistance or impedance in the circuit.

The correct choice indicates that it is the sum of all voltage drops in the circuit. When current flows through a circuit, it encounters various resistances, and each of these resistances can cause a voltage drop according to Ohm's law (V = IR). This means that the total applied voltage can be thought of as the effective voltage available to the components after accounting for the voltage drops across individual resistive elements. In essence, it reflects how much voltage is actually being used to move the current through the circuit, making this definition accurate in the context of a working electrical circuit.

This understanding contrasts with other definitions. The total voltage supplied by a battery is simply the voltage it can provide, while the voltage before current flows does not take into account the dynamics of a live circuit. The voltage rating of a device tells you the maximum voltage it can handle but does not encompass how voltage is utilized within the circuit during operation. Thus, the answer focuses on the operational