Potential Difference and Current

[bbuilder]

Homework Statement

Wires 1 and 2 are identical except that they are each made of a different material. The one end of wire 1 is connected to one end of wire 2. The two remaining ends are connected across a battery and current flows through the two wires. Is the potential difference is wires 1 and 2 the same or different? Is the current in wires 1 or 2 the same or different?

Homework Equations

R=(ρL)/A
V=IR

The Attempt at a Solution

The resistivity would change because the material changes; therefore, the resistance changes. If the resistance changes, the current changes. Potential difference remains the same. Is this correct?

 

[wakefield]

Think about this, if you have two wires connected in series but they don't have the same current flowing through them, what happens at the point where they meet? If the current is higher in the first wire? In the second?

 

[bbuilder]

If the current is higher in the first wire, then the first wire must have a lower resistance. If the current is lower in the first wire, then the first wire must have a higher resistance.

 

[gneill]

The Attempt at a Solution

The resistivity would change because the material changes; therefore, the resistance changes. If the resistance changes, the current changes. Potential difference remains the same. Is this correct?

If current were to be different in the two segments, wouldn't you end up with some continuous positive or negative charge building up where they connect? How could a continuous buildup of charge be sustained without catastrophic consequences?

The rule is, series connected components (including wires) carry the same current; What goes in one end of a wire must come out at the other end at the same rate.

If the wires have different resistivities, and hence difference resistances, you should be able to consult Ohm's law to see how the potential differences across the individual wire segments will behave, given that both segments MUST carry the same current.

 

[lendav_rott]

If it were true the current would change, I wouldn't have to pay for electricity, sadly it doesn't work like that :( Something does change, but it is not the current. In a series connection, say you have some consumers A B C with resistances, how would you calculate the total voltage in the series?