What is the correct way to connect a voltmeter to a circuit?

Connecting a voltmeter in parallel with the circuit is essential for accurately measuring the voltage across a component or section of the circuit. When connected in parallel, the voltmeter provides an alternate path for current to flow, allowing it to measure the potential difference without significantly altering the circuit's operation.

Voltmeters are designed with high internal resistance, which minimizes the current draw from the circuit and prevents loading effects that could distort the voltage reading. This high resistance ensures that the voltmeter does not affect the voltage it is intended to measure.

In contrast, connecting a voltmeter in series with a circuit would hinder normal operation. This configuration would introduce the voltmeter's resistance into the circuit, potentially causing a voltage drop and inaccurate measurements. The other terms, such as "in quadrature" and "in phase," do not pertain to the standard connection methods for voltmeters in electrical circuits. Therefore, the correct understanding is that volts are measured from a point of high potential to a point of low potential by connecting the voltmeter in parallel.