Electrons vs Ground: What's the Difference?

  • Thread starter Thread starter High_Voltage
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electrons Ground
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that electrons flow due to a potential difference, not because they "want" to reach ground. Both AC and DC currents can flow to ground, depending on the circuit configuration. For instance, connecting the negative terminal of a 9V battery to a grounded cold water pipe does not drain the battery unless the positive terminal is also grounded. The phenomenon of lightning strikes illustrates this principle, as electrons flow from negatively charged storm clouds to the ground when a sufficient potential difference exists.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical potential difference
  • Basic knowledge of AC and DC current
  • Familiarity with circuit connections and grounding
  • Concept of conductivity in various materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electrical potential difference in circuits
  • Learn about AC and DC current characteristics and applications
  • Study grounding techniques in electrical systems
  • Explore the physics of lightning and charge distribution in storm clouds
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, physics students, hobbyists working with circuits, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of electrons in electrical systems.

High_Voltage
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
I know that electrons want to flow to ground (earth ground) so I have a few questions: Is it only AC current that flows to ground(I ask this because I saw a video of a person with a Tesla coil on their car and the electricity was going to the ground)? If I put the -(negative) side of a 9V battery on a cold water pipe that is connected to ground will the electrons flow, and drain the battery.The video with the Tesla Coil:

Watch from 2:03 to 2:29
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Engineering news on Phys.org
It is just not true that electrons "want" to do anything.

Electrons flow where there is a potential difference to drive them. They flow from a negative potential to a positive potential depending on the existence of a conducting path.

This is the case when sky-to-ground lightning strikes occur and the storm clouds develop a negative charge relative to ground because even air provides a conducting path if the voltage is high enough.
If the charge was positive, then electrons would flow FROM the ground to the storm cloud.

Connecting one side of a battery to ground does not drain the electrons unless the other terminal of the battery is also connected to ground.
 

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
6K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
61
Views
11K