Log In Start studying!

Select your language

Suggested languages for you:
Deutsch (DE)
Deutsch (UK)
Deutsch (US)

Americas

Europe

Answers without the blur. Sign up and see all textbooks for free! → Illustration

Q4CQ

Expert-verified
College Physics (Urone)
Found in: Page 731
College Physics (Urone)

College Physics (Urone)

Book edition 1st Edition
Author(s) Paul Peter Urone
Pages 1272 pages
ISBN 9781938168000

Answers without the blur.

Just sign up for free and you're in.

Register for Free I’ll do it later
Illustration

Short Answer

Why are two conducting paths from a voltage source to an electrical device needed to operate the device?

Electrons must travel in a complete circuit and return to their original location.

If this were not the case, negative charges would collect in one location while positive charges would accumulate in another.

See the step by step solution

Step by Step Solution

TABLE OF CONTENTS :
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Step 1: Definition of Electric current

In electrical circuits, a voltage source (typically a battery) pushes electrons in a loop, resulting in electric phenomena like sound and light.

We can divide a complicated circuit into two parts: a voltage source and an electrical or electronic device.

A wall socket (voltage source) and a fan are two examples (device).

Step 2: Explanation

When we connect electrical equipment to a battery, we're not merely releasing electrons into the device, and we need two wires. The electron needs to return to the battery's positive terminal.

As a result, electrons must travel in a full circuit and return to their starting point. If this were not the case, negative charges would collect in one location while positive charges would accumulate in another.

Most popular questions for Physics Textbooks

Some surgery is performed with high-voltage electricity passing from a metal scalpel through the tissue being cut. Considering the nature of electric fields at the surface of conductors, why would you expect most of the current to flow from the sharp edge of the scalpel? Do you think high- or low-frequency AC is used?

A charge of \(4.00{\rm{ }}C\) charge passes through a pocket calculator’s solar cells in \(4.00{\rm{ }}h\). What is the power output, given the calculator’s voltage output is \(3.00{\rm{ }}V\)? (See Figure \(20.40\).)

Find the ratio of the diameter of aluminum to copper wire, if they have the same resistance per unit length (as they might in household wiring).

(a) How much power is dissipated in a short circuit of \(240 - V\)\({\rm{AC}}\) through a resistance of \(0.250{\rm{ }}\Omega \)?

(b) What current flows?

(a) Find the voltage drop in an extension cord having a \({\bf{0}}{\bf{.0600}}\;{\bf{\Omega }}\) resistance and through which \({\bf{5}}{\bf{.00}}\;{\bf{A}}\) is flowing. (b) A cheaper cord utilizes thinner wire and has a resistance of \({\bf{0}}{\bf{.300}}\;{\bf{\Omega }}\). What is the voltage drop in it when \({\bf{5}}{\bf{.00}}\;{\bf{A}}\) flows? (c) Why is the voltage to whatever appliance is being used reduced by this amount? What is the effect on the appliance?
Icon

Want to see more solutions like these?

Sign up for free to discover our expert answers
Get Started - It’s free

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Work Energy and Power

Read explanation

Radiation

Read explanation

Astrophysics

Read explanation

Physics of Motion

Read explanation

Scientific Method Physics

Read explanation

Fluids

Read explanation

Torque and Rotational Motion

Read explanation

Nuclear Physics

Read explanation

Fields in Physics

Read explanation

Measurements

Read explanation

Space Physics

Read explanation

Electricity

Read explanation

Physical Quantities and Units

Read explanation

Medical Physics

Read explanation

Electrostatics

Read explanation

Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Read explanation

Mechanics and Materials

Read explanation

Engineering Physics

Read explanation

Energy Physics

Read explanation

Force

Read explanation

Particle Model of Matter

Read explanation

Waves Physics

Read explanation

Magnetism

Read explanation

Modern Physics

Read explanation

Atoms and Radioactivity

Read explanation

Dynamics

Read explanation

Electricity and Magnetism

Read explanation

Conservation of Energy and Momentum

Read explanation

Fundamentals of Physics

Read explanation

Kinematics Physics

Read explanation

Circular Motion and Gravitation

Read explanation

Linear Momentum

Read explanation

Rotational Dynamics

Read explanation

Oscillations

Read explanation

Translational Dynamics

Read explanation

Geometrical and Physical Optics

Read explanation

Thermodynamics

Read explanation

Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Read explanation

Electromagnetism

Read explanation

Electric Charge Field and Potential

Read explanation

Turning Points in Physics

Read explanation

94% of StudySmarter users get better grades.

Sign up for free
94% of StudySmarter users get better grades.