What keeps an electric circuit from stopping?

In summary, the conversation discusses a high school Physics course that lacks rigor, with special relativity being introduced halfway through the first year. The course also does not thoroughly explain definitions, such as potential differences. However, as the class moves onto studying electromagnetism and Lorenz forces, they begin to define potential difference and its causes in more detail. The potential difference is the result of an electric field, set up by an ideal battery in the circuit, which pushes electrons towards the drop. This causes electromagnetic induction and a current to flow until the electrons are equally distributed throughout the circuit again.
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Heatherfield
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I follow a high school Physics course which is the very opposite of rigorous: special relativity was put somewhere halfway the first year of the curriculum and we've been studying electricity twice now without ever really explaining definitions: things like potential differences were magical quantities.

Now we're studying electromagnetism and Lorenz forces we're finally getting into the more rigorous part of the curriculum and we're starting to define potential difference. We've found that the potential difference means that electrons are more pulled towards a pole due to a difference in electric p.d. For example, when we pull a electric circuit (with no battery attached, so no current flowing) through a perpendicular magnetic field, the Lorenz force pushes electrons towards a side of the circuit, causing a potential difference. This causes electromagnetic induction which causes a current until the electrons are divided up 'fairly' throughout the circuit again.

Knowing this definition and example of the potential difference I'm having a hard time relating this to the electric circuits we studied before: electrons always seemed to be divided equally throughout the circuit. Yet we know a circuit still flows. What causes the potential difference in an electric circuit?
 
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  • #2
Where there is an electric field, there is a potential difference. The potential difference in a circuit is set up by the (ideal) battery, which always maintains a constant (in DC) potential difference across itself. Then once we connect circuit components up to this battery, there is a potential difference across them that "pushes" the electrons towards the drop (really it is the accompanying electric field that pushes them). A 9 V battery sets up a potential difference of 9 V across its terminals. If we connect a resistor to its top (which is at 9 V relative to its bottom) and its bottom (0 V), then there is a 9 V potential difference across the resistor, and this causes a current according to Ohm's law.
 
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1. What is an electric circuit?

An electric circuit is a closed loop through which electricity can flow. It consists of a power source, such as a battery, and electrical components connected by conductive wires.

2. What causes an electric circuit to stop?

An electric circuit can stop if there is a break in the loop or if there is a loss of power from the source. This can be due to a disconnected wire, a blown fuse, or a depleted battery.

3. How does an electric circuit maintain a continuous flow of electricity?

An electric circuit maintains a continuous flow of electricity through the movement of charged particles, such as electrons, through the conductive wires. This movement is facilitated by the presence of a power source, which provides the necessary energy for the particles to flow.

4. Can an electric circuit stop without any external factors?

Yes, an electric circuit can stop without any external factors if it reaches a state of equilibrium where the forces pushing the current forward are equal to the forces pushing it backwards. This is known as an open circuit and can occur in circuits with high resistance or low voltage.

5. How can an electric circuit be prevented from stopping?

To prevent an electric circuit from stopping, it is important to ensure that all components are properly connected and that the power source has enough energy to sustain the current flow. Regular maintenance and monitoring can also help identify and fix any potential issues before they cause the circuit to stop.

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