Charge Density of a Voltage Pulse

AI Thread Summary
A single, short negative voltage pulse can indeed create a corresponding negative charge density in a conductor as it propagates. While the pulse travels through the wire, it influences the electron distribution, causing a localized effect, albeit minimal. The discussion compares this propagation to radio waves traveling through space, questioning whether electrons are necessary for the pulse's movement. Ultimately, even if the charge density changes are negligible, they still occur in principle. This highlights the intricate relationship between voltage pulses and electron behavior in conductors.
deathcloset
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
If I make a single, short (GHZ) negative voltage pulse propagate down a long, single wire which forms a closed circuit, will there be a corresponding negative charge density in the conductor (shown as bunched-up green electrons) which propagates with the pulse?

KWzyVjT.jpg
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Not in a relevant amount, but in principle, yes.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
Thank you for the reply.

I was curious if the pulse would just propagate through the conductor like radio waves though space - without the need for or effect on electrons, but I just couldn't see there being this potential at some point in a conductor without an effect on the density of electrons in that region, however small that region or minuscule that density might be.

It's just a curiosity, but I didn't know!

Thanks again :)
 
Hey guys. I have a question related to electricity and alternating current. Say an alien fictional society developed electricity, and settled on a standard like 73V AC current at 46 Hz. How would appliances be designed, and what impact would the lower frequency and voltage have on transformers, wiring, TVs, computers, LEDs, motors, and heating, assuming the laws of physics and technology are the same as on Earth?
While I was rolling out a shielded cable, a though came to my mind - what happens to the current flow in the cable if there came a short between the wire and the shield in both ends of the cable? For simplicity, lets assume a 1-wire copper wire wrapped in an aluminum shield. The wire and the shield has the same cross section area. There are insulating material between them, and in both ends there is a short between them. My first thought, the total resistance of the cable would be reduced...
I used to be an HVAC technician. One time I had a service call in which there was no power to the thermostat. The thermostat did not have power because the fuse in the air handler was blown. The fuse in the air handler was blown because there was a low voltage short. The rubber coating on one of the thermostat wires was chewed off by a rodent. The exposed metal in the thermostat wire was touching the metal cabinet of the air handler. This was a low voltage short. This low voltage...

Similar threads

Back
Top