Current and voltage in an open circuit

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Homework Statement



Looking at the open circuit demonstrated in figure 2 (see attachment), what is the current through the ammeter? What is the voltage at point p?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I am assuming if it an open circuit, I would think that the current would be zero (I might be wrong though). Meaning that since the current is zero, so is the voltage.

I have a feeling I might be wrong though...

Any help would be great!
 

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  • Screen shot 2011-01-24 at 11.10.07 PM.png
    Screen shot 2011-01-24 at 11.10.07 PM.png
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What's the voltage across the terminals of a 12V battery that's not connected to a circuit? What current is it producing?
 
Wouldn't the voltage be 12V? However there is no resistance, so using ohm's law: I=V/R, with 0 resistance, that would make the current infinite, which doesn't make any sense...
 
dancergirlie said:
Wouldn't the voltage be 12V? However there is no resistance, so using ohm's law: I=V/R, with 0 resistance, that would make the current infinite, which doesn't make any sense...

With no connection the resistance would be infinite; no conductivity.

So in your circuit, what's the total resistance between the battery terminals?
 
Well since it is not connected then it would be infinity

Using my Ohm's law argument that would give us our voltage of 12 volts across the battery

and 12/inf is approx 0, so the current would read out zero.

Am I right? If so then thank you so much!
 
Right; The open circuit dangling off of the positive battery terminal would all be at the battery's potential, and no current would be flowing. By the way, I chose 12V as an example. Check the actual battery voltage specified in your problem.
 
Yeah I noticed that, mine would be 5V :)

Thank you so much, that makes total sense!