What does the term electromotive force (EMF) refer to?

The term electromotive force (EMF) specifically refers to the voltage generated by a source, such as a battery or generator, that drives an electric current through a circuit. It is the potential difference in charge between two points in an electrical circuit and is measured in volts. EMF can be thought of as the "push" that moves electrons through a conductor, leading to current flow.

In contrast, current refers to the flow of electric charge and is measured in amperes, while resistance quantifies how much a material opposes that flow. Power, on the other hand, measures the rate at which energy is used or converted and is calculated as the product of current and voltage. Therefore, understanding that EMF is intrinsically linked to voltage helps in grasping the fundamental concepts of electrical circuits and how energy is transmitted through them.