What Happens to Current in an Ideal Circuit with Zero Resistance?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter swap1996
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuit Current
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of connecting an ideal battery with zero internal resistance to a conductor that also has zero resistance. Participants explore the theoretical aspects of current in such a scenario, questioning its physical validity and the application of circuit laws.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the scenario leads to infinite current, questioning the physical relevance of such a situation.
  • Others argue that while the situation is not physically realizable, it can still be considered theoretically, prompting inquiries about the application of Kirchhoff's voltage law.
  • A participant suggests that if the voltage source is defined, the current through the voltage source becomes undefined due to the zero resistance in the connecting conductor.
  • One participant emphasizes that the premise of the discussion is nonsensical, suggesting that it does not warrant further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views on the validity and implications of the theoretical scenario presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the application of circuit laws in a situation that is deemed non-physical, highlighting limitations in the assumptions made about ideal components.

swap1996
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
If an ideal battery of zero internal resistance is connected to a conductor having no resistance, what should be the current through the circuit (as in schematic) ?
 

Attachments

  • current.jpg
    current.jpg
    5.8 KB · Views: 437
Physics news on Phys.org
swap1996 said:
If an ideal battery of zero internal resistance is connected to a conductor having no resistance, what should be the current through the circuit (as in schematic) ?

The question is meaningless, really. It would be infinite current, but so what? It is not a physical situation.
 
The ideal voltage source defines the voltage at its terminals to be V. If the conductor connecting its terminals has zero resistance, the voltage between its ends is zero.

I would say, if V is nonzero, the current through the voltage source is undefined.
 
berkeman said:
The question is meaningless, really. It would be infinite current, but so what? It is not a physical situation.

No doubt its not a physical situation but at least it is a proper theoretical case which can be considered from a theoretical point of view....in that case I have some questions...how can Kirchhoff's voltage law be applied to this circuit...
 
swap1996 said:
No doubt its not a physical situation but at least it is a proper theoretical case which can be considered from a theoretical point of view....in that case I have some questions...how can Kirchhoff's voltage law be applied to this circuit...

It cannot, because the premise is nonsense. We do not waste people's time here at the PF with threads that start with a false premise. Thread is closed.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Can current flow in an open circuit?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School A question about induced current in LC circuits
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Does current decrease inside a wire or does it increase it's velocity?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Why does resistance reduce current in whole circuit?
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
6K
Undergrad Resistance and specific resistance relationships
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Graduate 2 charged conductors form a capacitor
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Undergrad Question about Capacitor current and electromagnetic induction
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
High School Basic question about current in an electric circuit
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
High School Found a circuit where current is zero across an ohmic device (dV>0)
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
Undergrad Is the Poynting Vector Field the Only Factor in Energy Flow in Circuits?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K