What is meant by the voltage drop in a resistive circuit?

The concept of voltage drop in a resistive circuit refers to the difference in electric potential across a conductor when current flows through it. This difference arises due to the resistance of the conductor, which opposes the flow of electric current, leading to a reduction in voltage from one point to another within the circuit.

When current encounters resistance, energy is converted into heat, which manifests as a decrease in voltage across the resistive element, measured between two points in the circuit. Understanding this distinction is critical for analyzing circuit behavior, as it directly impacts the performance and efficiency of electrical systems.

In this context, the other options do not accurately describe voltage drop. The total voltage supplied to the circuit encompasses the entire input voltage but does not focus on the localized reduction within a conductor. Similarly, while energy lost as heat is related to resistance and may contribute to the concept of voltage drop, it does not specifically define it. The voltage at the circuit's output terminal may reflect the voltage drop across components but does not define the term in the context of the resistive circuit itself.