Undergrad Is the current related to a path or to potential difference?

[lukka98]

TL;DR

Is the current related to a path or to potential difference?

The question is very simple: Is the flow of charge, or current, related to a closed path or there will be a potential difference without closed path to allowing the flow?
I mean, If I have a battery that maintain 5V of potential difference through its terminal, I believe there is an amount of negative charge on the negative terminal and positive in the positive, and when I connect to a wire electron whithin conductor are simply shoved toward the positive terminal, and so on the chemical reaction recharged negative terminal and again.

But If I touch the positive poles of a battery, whit the negative not connected to nothing, and with feet on the ground without insulation, the current flow from Earth to the positive poles until they are at the same potential? Because there is a potential difference I think, for example in the fault protection, If the ground wire is required, there is a flow current from the positive to ground ( vacation flow) only until they are at the same potential? And then so then I am at the same potential of the thing I touch and there is no problem?

 

[BvU]

But If I touch the positive poles of a battery, whit the negative not connected to nothing, and with feet on the ground without insulation, the current flow from Earth to the positive poles until they are at the same potential? Because there is a potential difference I think

There is not. The potential difference is between the poles of the battery, not between Earth and positive pole. Touching that (or even: connecting a fat conducting wire to earth) does not cause a steady current.

$\$

 

[Dale]

Summary:: Is the current related to a path or to potential difference?

Is the flow of charge, or current, related to a closed path or there will be a potential difference without closed path to allowing the flow?

Are you considering only DC and low frequency or are you considering very high frequency circuits too.

 

[lukka98]

Are you considering only DC and low frequency or are you considering very high frequency circuits too.

Only DC current, like battery.

 

[Dale]

Summary:: Is the current related to a path or to potential difference?

Is the flow of charge, or current, related to a closed path or there will be a potential difference without closed path to allowing the flow?

At DC this is not an either-or situation. Both are true. Current is related to a closed path. There are potential differences without closed paths.