Superposition Tutorial Question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of electric current and superposition, specifically addressing a point of confusion related to the direction of current flow in a circuit as presented in a video tutorial. Participants are examining the conventions of current direction and the implications of charge carrier movement.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the direction of current flow in a circuit, questioning whether it should be clockwise or counter-clockwise.
  • Another participant clarifies that current is defined as the rate of positive charge transfer, noting that electrons, being negatively charged, move in the opposite direction.
  • A different participant reiterates the current direction as shown in the video, questioning if their understanding aligns with the presented information.
  • One participant explains the convention of treating current as the flow of positive charges, despite electrons being the actual charge carriers in conductors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct direction of current flow, with multiple viewpoints expressed regarding the interpretation of the video and the conventions of current direction.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of agreement on the interpretation of the video content, and assumptions regarding the conventions of current flow may not be fully articulated. The discussion does not resolve the confusion surrounding the direction of current in the context of superposition.

siylence
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I'm trying to learn superposition but I'm confused with this part of the video at around 3:50:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nisdYIkIYXo&NR=1

The guy makes the current go clockwise from positive to negative in the loop, but I think that's a mistake... Am I wrong to think the current should be going counter-clockwise?
 
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Current is defined as the rate at which positive charge is transferred. So electrons will move in the opposite direction since they have a negative charge.

Edit: I hope this was your question since I didn't view the video.
 
The current is going from the positive node to the negative node in the video according to his drawing. Am I wrong to think this should be the other way around?
 
Although it is electrons which are the mobile charge carriers which are responsible for electric current in conductors such as wires, it has long been the convention to take the direction of electric current as if it were the positive charges which are moving.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/elecur.html"
 
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