Potential on a conductor

Sogan

Hi,

I consider a connected conductor. Is it right, that:

1)the potential at any point of the conductor is the same, but

2)the absolute value of the potential isn't zero in general?

I think these statements are true, but I'm not sure about it, especially with the second statement.

Thank you a lot!

Regards

mfb

For an ideal conductor, yes.

This value has no meaning. You can define "zero" whereever you want. There are some conventions, depending on the setup, but they do not have a physical meaning themself.

tiny-tim

in equilibrium

(if charges are moving, ie if there is a current, then obviously there is a voltage drop along the conductor, ie an electric potential difference)

Sogan

Thank you very much!!! Now I understood.

mfb

In superconductors with constant current, you have no voltage drop, even with a current flow.
If charges are accelerating, you have an electric field and therefore a voltage drop ;).