- #1
Noesis
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Problem/Question
I am trying to understand why the current in resistors that are wired in series is the same.
This makes no sense to me.
Attempts at answering
I will state everything I hold to be true, my entire reasoning process. So if at any point I am mistaken please correct me.
By definition of resistance:
First of all...resistance is supposed to reduce the current. So if the current is reduced after it passes through one resistor, let's say from 10A to 7A...how in the world will it be the same current in that subsequent resistor?
Nevermind the next resistor in series, and even the next one after that.
Taking energy into account and thinking of it in terms of volts:
There is a voltage drop after every resistor. If there is less voltage between two points, then since the potential difference is not as strong the current will not be as large...or the charges will not be moving as fast.
So by reasoning that the voltage drops every single time, and that the charges will continue to move slower, meaning that the current will also decrease, there is no way that the current could remain the same from one resistor to the other.
Thinking of it in terms of collisions:
Current is defined by the movement of charge carriers, let's say electrons here. As they are whizzing along due to the electric field that causes a potential difference, they start to bump into other atoms inside the resistor and slow down.
If their speed has decreased...how can the current remain the same?
Thanks in advance guys. I tried to make the question follow the 'template' given as best as possible. It's not really a homework question...just a question in my own self-study.
I am trying to understand why the current in resistors that are wired in series is the same.
This makes no sense to me.
Attempts at answering
I will state everything I hold to be true, my entire reasoning process. So if at any point I am mistaken please correct me.
By definition of resistance:
First of all...resistance is supposed to reduce the current. So if the current is reduced after it passes through one resistor, let's say from 10A to 7A...how in the world will it be the same current in that subsequent resistor?
Nevermind the next resistor in series, and even the next one after that.
Taking energy into account and thinking of it in terms of volts:
There is a voltage drop after every resistor. If there is less voltage between two points, then since the potential difference is not as strong the current will not be as large...or the charges will not be moving as fast.
So by reasoning that the voltage drops every single time, and that the charges will continue to move slower, meaning that the current will also decrease, there is no way that the current could remain the same from one resistor to the other.
Thinking of it in terms of collisions:
Current is defined by the movement of charge carriers, let's say electrons here. As they are whizzing along due to the electric field that causes a potential difference, they start to bump into other atoms inside the resistor and slow down.
If their speed has decreased...how can the current remain the same?
Thanks in advance guys. I tried to make the question follow the 'template' given as best as possible. It's not really a homework question...just a question in my own self-study.