Flow of current through zero potential difference

AI Thread Summary
When points A and C have a finite potential difference and are connected by a wire with resistance, a current flows through the wire. Introducing point B, which has the same potential as A, creates a scenario where a current can still flow between B and C due to their potential difference. This current will continue until all three points reach equal potential. However, experiments indicate that a constant current flows through the circuit immediately, raising questions about the initial conditions of the potentials. If A, B, and C are maintained at constant potentials, the current will flow from B to C and from A to B, but resistance will prevent them from achieving the same potential instantly.
soumyajitnag
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
there are two points A and C having a finite potential difference.they are connected by a wire of non zero resistance.a current will flow through the wire.the wire is now removed and a third point B is introduced which has an potential equal to A.a wire is taken which connects A,B,C.will a current flow through the wire?detailed explanation please!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
As there is a finite potential difference between B and C current will flow between them thus changing the potential at B. So current will also flow between A and B till the three points are at equal potential.
 
Last edited:
but experiments show that a constant current flows through the entire circuit from the very initial moment.any explanation on that part...?
 
soumyajitnag said:
there are two points A and C having a finite potential difference.they are connected by a wire of non zero resistance.a current will flow through the wire.the wire is now removed and a third point B is introduced which has an potential equal to A.a wire is taken which connects A,B,C.will a current flow through the wire?detailed explanation please!

From your question it seems potential at A,B and C are not kept constant .So in that case ,as swap1996 said , current will flow from B to C reducing the potential at B,and so also from A to B until they are at same potential.

but experiments show that a constant current flows through the entire circuit from the very initial moment.any explanation on that part...?
But if the potential at A,B and C are kept constant (say the case when A and C are connected to the terminals of a cell, and A and B are at same potential and there is a resistance between B and C ) then due to the potential difference between B and C ,current will flow from B and C and so same current should flow from A to B.
(However in the physical situation of above example the points A and B connected by a wire ,say, won't have same potential due to small resistance an so there will be a finite potential drop.)
 
Back
Top