How electrons flow in a circuit?

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    Circuit Electrons Flow
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the movement of electrons in a circuit, particularly focusing on the mechanisms that create potential differences and the flow of current. It touches on concepts related to electrochemistry, specifically in the context of batteries and electrodes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a model where electrons build up on both the cathode and anode, creating a potential difference due to differing materials.
  • Another participant challenges this model, asserting that the anode is positively charged relative to the cathode, and that there is no electron buildup on the anode.
  • A further clarification is made regarding the role of the electrolyte in a battery, which facilitates the flow of ions and electrons, contributing to the potential difference.
  • One participant explains that in a zinc-copper battery setup, zinc acts as the anode and loses electrons, while copper, as the cathode, also loses electrons but to a lesser extent, leading to a flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode.
  • Another participant introduces the Hall effect as a relevant experimental concept related to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of charge buildup at the electrodes and the mechanisms behind potential difference. No consensus is reached regarding the initial model proposed.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of anode and cathode in different contexts, as well as the specific mechanisms of charge transfer in electrochemical cells.

Entanglement
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I have pictured I model about how electrons move in a circuit,

What happens first is that electrons are built up on both the cathode and anode but since both of them are made of different materials, the built up electrons on one of the two poles will be more than that on the other, which creates a potential difference, however there is an electron cloud in the conductor connected between the two poles, the electron cloud is affected by the electric field of both the electrodes once the wire is connected, I could say that both electrodes exert a repulsive force on the electron cloud, but fortunately the repulsive force of one of the electrodes will be more than that of the other due to the difference of quantity of charge, which will make the electron cloud move from high repulsive region to the low repulsive region causing a flowing current. The transfer of energy between the two poles is about to be the speed of light, but electrons themselves move at speed 0.02m/sec. I hope that model is right, but I would like someone on the forum to provide me with more accurate information, thanks in advance.
 
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What happens first is that electrons are built up on both the cathode and anode but since both of them are made of different materials, the built up electrons on one of the two poles will be more than that on the other, which creates a potential difference,

No, the anode is positively charged with respect to the anode and that's what creates the potential difference ( there is no build up of electrons on the anode)

If we are talking about ... for example a battery, the electrolyte causes a flow of ions towards the anode and electrons towards the cathode, creating the potential difference.Dave
 
davenn said:
No, the anode is positively charged with respect to the anode and that's what creates the potential difference ( there is no build up of electrons on the anode)

Dave
If zinc is the anode and copper is the cathode, zinc loses electrons and it turns into ions leaving its electrons on the electrode. While copper is the cathode it also loses electrons and turns into ions leaving its electrons on the electrode, but zinc has more tendency to form ions than copper
So the anode (zinc) become negatively charged with respect to the cathode, consequently electrons move from the anode to the cathode on connecting a conducting wire. That's what I mean..
 
Dou you know hall effect?? . these experiments are very interesting for your topic
 

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