Current flow through no resistance conductor

AI Thread Summary
Electric current in a circuit flows preferentially through paths with no resistance, which means it will bypass resistive components when possible. In the scenario discussed, removing the voltmeter, which has infinite resistance, does not affect the current flow through the circuit. The circuit configuration with resistors R2 and R3 in parallel, along with R1 and R4 in series, is confirmed to be valid. An ideal voltmeter does not allow current to flow through it, reinforcing the concept of current taking the path of least resistance. Understanding these principles is essential for analyzing electric circuits effectively.
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Homework Statement


How does the electric current flow through this circuit?
attachment.php?attachmentid=36043&stc=1&d=1306762339.jpg


2. The attempt at a solution
It would make sense for me to take the path where there's no resistance and skip the path with the resistance R1, but I'm not 100% sure about that.
attachment.php?attachmentid=36041&stc=1&d=1306762339.jpg
attachment.php?attachmentid=36042&stc=1&d=1306762339.jpg


So how does it flow? pic1 or pic2? also an explanation would be very useful.

Thanks.
 

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Oh, i figured out now, it would be the same case if we removed the Voltmeter (since it has no resistance), in that case R2 and R3 are parallel, series with R1 and R4.
 
Presumably V represents a voltmeter. An ideal voltmeter has infinite resistance, so no current should flow through it.
 

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