How Can a Wire Carrying Current Be an Equipotential Surface?

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A wire carrying current can be considered an equipotential surface because, despite the movement of charges, the potential remains constant along the wire. This occurs because the charges flow from a region of higher potential to one of lower potential, establishing a uniform potential throughout the wire. While equipotential surfaces are typically associated with electrostatic equilibrium, in the case of a wire, the constant potential is maintained as long as the current is steady. The potential difference exists only between the two ends of the wire, not along its length. Thus, within the wire, the potential remains constant, allowing it to function as an equipotential surface.
maccha
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Recently in physics I've learned that equipotential surfaces are always conductors in electrostatic equilibrium.. so no moving charges. I'm a little confused, then, of how a wire carrying current is considered an equipotential? If charges are moving how can the potential be constant?
 
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maccha said:
Recently in physics I've learned that equipotential surfaces are always conductors in electrostatic equilibrium.. so no moving charges. I'm a little confused, then, of how a wire carrying current is considered an equipotential? If charges are moving how can the potential be constant?
The charges always move from higher potential to the lower potential. On the equipotential surface, at every point the potential is the same. so the charges are not moving.
In a wire current flows only when there is a potential difference at two ends of the wire.
 
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