Want to make sure I got the basics of voltage drops

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding voltage drops in a DC circuit, using analogies from gravitational potential energy. Participants explore the relationship between electrical potential energy and kinetic energy, particularly in the context of energy dissipation across loads in series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant uses gravitational potential energy as an analogy for electrical potential energy, questioning how energy is transformed in a circuit with voltage drops.
  • The same participant speculates whether potential energy is converted into kinetic energy to maintain electron speed, suggesting this could account for voltage drops.
  • Another participant challenges the analogy by asking what is being "dropped" in the analogy, seeking clarification on the comparison to current.
  • A different participant expresses skepticism about the energy being converted into heat or light, prompting a question about the reasoning behind this belief.
  • One participant asserts that, based on their knowledge, energy is dissipated as heat, referencing a previous discussion on the conversion of electric energy in resistors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of energy transformation in circuits, with no consensus reached on the specifics of how voltage drops relate to kinetic energy and energy dissipation.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding energy conversion and the adequacy of analogies used, leaving some points open to interpretation.

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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