Voltage & Charged Rod: Common Misconceptions Explained

[husky88]

Homework Statement

What is wrong with this statement: A charged rod has a voltage of 0.50 A through it. Explain your answer.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

A charged rod cannot have a voltage through it and voltage is not measured in A. Right? I know that to have a voltage, there must be a potential difference determined by two different charges. But what if the rod was a magnet? Would there be a voltage through a magnet?

 

[Maxwell]

You're right, voltage is not measured in Amps. Current is. Is this supposed to be a trick question, or is it just to see if you are paying attention?

 

[husky88]

I don't know (?). Is it a trick question?

 

[ijustlost]

I think the only problem with the statement is the Amps bit. You're right that for there to be a potential difference you need a difference in charge, but if all the charge in the rod were at one end it could have a potential difference across it.

Magnetic "voltage" is different to electric voltage. You're right that a bar magnet would, in a sense, have a magnetic potential across it as it has two poles.

 

[husky88]

Thank you. That clarifies my understand of voltage, finally.