Which best describes the element of assault?

The element of assault is best described as attempted battery or threatened battery because it encompasses not only the act of causing physical harm but also the intention to cause harm or the necessity of instilling fear of such harm in another person. Assault can occur even without physical contact, as long as the perpetrator engages in conduct that can reasonably make the victim fear immediate harm.

For example, raising a fist in a threatening manner or brandishing a weapon can constitute assault, as these actions imply an intention to cause injury and can create a reasonable apprehension of imminent harm in the victim's mind. This psychological element is critical in defining assault, as it distinguishes it from other offenses that might involve actual physical harm or injury.

The other options do not fully capture the legal definition of assault. While injury caused by a weapon relates more to battery, which involves actual physical harm, verbal threats alone do not constitute assault unless they are coupled with a credible threat of imminent harm. Therefore, the focus is correctly on the attempt or threat of battery, making this the best description of the element of assault.