Can Zero Electric Potential Prove No Current Flow in a Connected Wire?

[gmax137]

How about this: A river flows from the mountains to the sea. Why? because the river elevation is higher in the mountains, and water flows downhill. Now along the river there is an island, which splits the river into two streams for awhile, before they rejoin at the downstream end of the island. If you dig a ditch across the island, will water flow in the ditch? It might, but only if one end of the ditch is lower than the other end - because water flows downhill.

In your circuit, where you add the wire, the "elevation" (or potential) is the same at both ends, there is no current because the wire doesn't lead downhill.

I'm almost afraid to post this, I hope it doesn't stir up more confusion.

 

[mikeph]

I don't like the river analogy. The motion of a fluid is astronomically more complicated than a couple of Kirchoff laws. If people don't have a conceptual understanding of electricity then they should buy a battery a voltmeter and a load of cables to see how it works

 

[sophiecentaur]

I don't like the river analogy. The motion of a fluid is astronomically more complicated than a couple of Kirchoff laws. If people don't have a conceptual understanding of electricity then they should buy a battery a voltmeter and a load of cables to see how it works

I'm inclined to agree with you. Water, in so many ways, is a rubbish model for electricity and leads got all sorts of misconceptions. (I know: "Change the record" - but it's true.)

 

[Infinite/Zero]

For a easy explanation, i wish you can understand
When there is a temperature difference between two bodies then the heat will flow from higher heated body to lower heated body.
If the temperature of both bodies are same(there is no temperature difference)
Then the heat will not flow.
Is it helps ?