Ohm's Law and its Physical Consequences

In summary, The statement of Ohm's law in the form J = \sigmaE leads to a question about the validity of the statement, as it suggests that the volume current density is dependent on the strength of the field at a certain point. However, this is only one part of a larger set of equations and the full set of Maxwell's equations allows for dynamic changes in charge accumulation. In the steady-state solutions, there will be no charge piling up, as the time-varying components will have died out.
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Ohms law is in my book stated in the form:

J = [itex]\sigma[/itex]E

My question is about the validity of this statement (I know it is just an empirical law, but therefore you can still think of its consequences). If the above is true then the volume current density will depend on the strength of the field at a specific point. But how are you guarenteed that the field through our ohmic material will vary in such a way as to not violate charges being piled up. Let me make my point more clear through an example:
Suppose we have a thin rod through which the field varies like 1/r where r is the distance from the minus pole to a point on the rod. Close to the minus pole you will then have a current density going through a crosssection of the rod which is very large. But as you move away further the current density will according to Ohms law be much less. This is not physical since charge cannot disappear and why would it pile up in a conductor?
 
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  • #2
Charge doesn't pile up because of the forces on the charges when it tries to.

You are confused because this is only a single constuent equation of the larger set. This is a simple equation of state without a time dependence. The full set of maxwells equations in the conductor would allow charge to bunch up dynamically in time then relax; time varying magnetic fields would also be present.

The steady-state solutions where the time-varying components have died out will have field solutions where your concerns are not an issue. There will be no charge piling up in this steady state (by definition!)
 

1. What is Ohm's Law?

Ohm's Law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points. This means that if the voltage increases, the current will also increase in proportion to the voltage. It can be expressed as V=IR, where V is the voltage, I is the current, and R is the resistance of the conductor.

2. What are the physical consequences of Ohm's Law?

The physical consequences of Ohm's Law include the fact that the resistance of a conductor is constant as long as the temperature, material, and dimensions remain the same. It also means that for a given voltage, the current will be larger in a conductor with a lower resistance compared to a conductor with a higher resistance. Additionally, Ohm's Law shows that the power dissipated in a circuit is proportional to the square of the current.

3. How is Ohm's Law used in everyday life?

Ohm's Law is used in a variety of everyday applications, such as in household appliances, electronic devices, and power lines. It helps engineers and designers determine the appropriate size and type of wire to use in a circuit to ensure that it can handle the expected current without overheating. Ohm's Law is also used in the design and analysis of electrical systems and in diagnosing and troubleshooting electrical problems.

4. What are the limitations of Ohm's Law?

While Ohm's Law is a useful tool in understanding and designing electrical circuits, it has its limitations. One limitation is that it only applies to linear circuits, meaning that the current is directly proportional to the voltage. It also assumes that the temperature, material, and dimensions of the conductor remain constant, which may not always be the case in real-world situations. Additionally, Ohm's Law does not take into account the effects of inductance and capacitance in a circuit.

5. How does temperature affect Ohm's Law?

The resistance of a conductor is affected by temperature, which can impact the application of Ohm's Law. As the temperature of a conductor increases, its resistance also increases, meaning that the current will decrease for a given voltage. This is due to the fact that as the temperature increases, the atoms in the conductor vibrate more, making it more difficult for electrons to flow through. In some cases, this can lead to thermal runaway, where the resistance of a conductor continues to increase until it fails.

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