- #1
What is the potential difference between points A and B in a circuit?
- Thread starter kalupahana
- Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY
The potential difference between points A and B in a circuit with 2V and 4V electromotive forces (emfs) and internal resistances of 2Ω and 6Ω respectively is determined to be 0V, indicating a short circuit condition. According to Ohm's Law (V=IR) and Kirchhoff's Laws, when resistance approaches zero, the potential difference also approaches zero, confirming that the circuit behaves as a short circuit. If the calculated potential difference is anything other than zero, it indicates a problem in the circuit configuration.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of Ohm's Law (V=IR)
- Familiarity with Kirchhoff's Laws
- Basic knowledge of circuit components (emfs and internal resistance)
- Concept of short circuits in electrical circuits
- Study the implications of short circuits in electrical engineering
- Learn about circuit analysis techniques using Kirchhoff's Laws
- Explore advanced applications of Ohm's Law in complex circuits
- Investigate methods for measuring potential difference in circuits
Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and anyone involved in analyzing or troubleshooting electrical circuits will benefit from this discussion.
- #2
Metaleer
- 123
- 0
AB seems to be a shortcircuit. That is a potential difference of 0, so if you end up getting that, it's nothing to worry about. If you got something other than 0, that's when you should be worried. 
Basically, you can think of a shortcircuit as taking a branch with a single resistor R, and doing R → 0. From V = IR, you see that I = V/R, so if R → 0, the only way to stop I from going to infinity and being a defined finite value, is to have V = 0, that is, the potential difference across a shortcircuit vanishes.
Basically, you can think of a shortcircuit as taking a branch with a single resistor R, and doing R → 0. From V = IR, you see that I = V/R, so if R → 0, the only way to stop I from going to infinity and being a defined finite value, is to have V = 0, that is, the potential difference across a shortcircuit vanishes.
- #3
SammyS
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 11,987
- 1,579
If VAB ≠ 0, then it would be I-i that goes to infinity.Metaleer said:AB seems to be a shortcircuit. That is a potential difference of 0, so if you end up getting that, it's nothing to worry about. If you got something other than 0, that's when you should be worried.
Basically, you can think of a shortcircuit as taking a branch with a single resistor R, and doing R → 0. From V = IR, you see that I = V/R, so if R → 0, the only way to stop I from going to infinity and being a defined finite value, is to have V = 0, that is, the potential difference across a shortcircuit vanishes.
- #4
Metaleer
- 123
- 0
The I in my explanation was the I of an arbitrary branch in which a shortcircuit is produced, I didn't use the same circuit as the one given. That's why I said V = IR, and not V = (I-i)R.
The I of my example would be extrapolated to whatever it need be, per particular circuit.
The I of my example would be extrapolated to whatever it need be, per particular circuit.
- #5
kalupahana
- 31
- 0
Ok thanks for help, i got it
- #6
Metaleer
- 123
- 0
You're welcome. 
Similar threads
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 15 ·
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 8 ·
- · Replies 30 ·
- · Replies 4 ·
- · Replies 6 ·