Question about Grounding in this Circuit

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter rtareen
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuit Grounding
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the grounding principles in electrical circuits, specifically referencing Figure 27-7 from a textbook. The user questions the reasoning behind the potential at point b being zero, despite its position before the grounding point. The consensus is that the potential at point a is zero due to its position after the grounding point, while point b's potential is also zero because it is part of a continuous circuit segment where voltage remains uniform. This highlights the importance of understanding grounding locations in circuit analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of electrical circuit theory
  • Familiarity with grounding concepts in circuits
  • Knowledge of voltage potential and its measurement
  • Ability to interpret circuit diagrams and figures
NEXT STEPS
  • Study grounding techniques in electrical engineering
  • Learn about voltage distribution in series and parallel circuits
  • Explore the implications of grounding on circuit performance
  • Review circuit analysis methods, including nodal and mesh analysis
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and professionals involved in circuit analysis and design will benefit from this discussion.

rtareen
Messages
162
Reaction score
32
TL;DR
I want to know why the voltage at point b is zero even through it comes before the grounding point in the circuit.
Click the attached file to see the figure and the book's explanation. The explanation for 27-7 (a) makes sense as the point a comes after the grounding point and before anything else. Therefore it should have a potential of zero. But, to me, 27-7 (b) doesn't make any sense. Why should the potential ##V_b## be zero when it comes before the grounding point? Shouldnt any point after the grounding symbol, but before the resistor, have a potential of zero? Why is the voltage at b zero?
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
It doesn't matter whether it comes before or after, the voltage for the entire top portion between the internal resistor of the battery and the resistor to the right is all the same, it is all zero.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rtareen
Kyouran said:
It doesn't matter whether it comes before or after, the voltage for the entire top portion between the internal resistor of the battery and the resistor to the right is all the same, it is all zero.
Oh ok Thank you
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Electric Potential in circuit
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Earth ground resistance measurement
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
High School Can charges move without a field? How charges redistribute without it?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
High School Conceptually understanding change in potential energy with 0 net work
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Found a circuit where current is zero across an ohmic device (dV>0)
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
High School The voltage between two points
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Fuses and grounding in a circuit
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Write boolean expression describing this circuit
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Earth grounded, where does the current flow?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
Ground faults in ungrounded systems
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K