Want to make sure I got the basics of voltage drops

AI Thread Summary
In a DC circuit with series loads, voltage drops occur across each load while current remains constant. The analogy of gravitational potential energy to electrical potential energy raises questions about energy conversion, specifically whether potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as electrons slow down at the loads. The discussion suggests that energy is primarily dissipated as heat, challenging the idea that it could be fully accounted for by kinetic energy. Participants debate the effectiveness of the analogy and the nature of energy transformation in circuits. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping the fundamentals of voltage drops in electrical systems.
Comfort_Cube
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In my head, I'm using (delta)(gravitational potential energy) as an analogy to the (delta)(electrical potential energy). So, with a DC circuit with loads connected in series, we can observe a voltage drop across each load. Now, because the current remains the same throughout, it must mean that the difference in potential energy is not accounted for in kinetic energy (as you would typically think of with gravity) but some other forms of energy, because if it was kinetic energy, we should see current increasing as these voltage drops occur (yes? Faster electrons means more charge/s going through a cross-sectional area?). But then, I'm thinking, I don't think this energy is converted into heat or light or some other form of energy enough to account for the voltage drops. So is it to speed up the electrons back to their average speed after they slow down facing the load? This would mean that potential energy IS converted into kinetic energy, and that would now account for the voltage drop.

So, how much did my noob self mess up there people?
 
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Comfort_Cube said:
(delta)(gravitational potential energy) as an analogy to the (delta)(electrical potential energy)
... and, what are you "dropping" through the various del(gh)? Marbles? A stream of water? As an analog of current. Help any?
 
Comfort_Cube said:
But then, I'm thinking, I don't think this energy is converted into heat or light or some other form of energy enough to account for the voltage drops.

Why do you think this?
 
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