Voltage is defined as an __________ force.

Voltage is defined as an electromotive force because it describes the potential difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points in a circuit. This concept is fundamental in electrical engineering and physics, representing the energy needed to move a charge through an electric circuit. It is the driving force that pushes electric current through a conductor, enabling the flow of electricity, and is measured in volts. Understanding this concept is crucial for those working in fields related to cathodic protection, as it directly relates to the behavior of electrical systems and how they interact with their environments.

The other options do not accurately capture the specific nature of voltage in this context. Electromagnetic refers more broadly to the physical interactions between charged particles. Electrostatic deals with stationary electric charges and their interactions but does not encompass the dynamic aspect of voltage in circuits. Electric, while related, is a more general term and does not specify the force aspect inherent in the definition of voltage.