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March 30, 2024, 01:17:13 am

Author Topic: Question about Circuits  (Read 2094 times)  Share 

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sam777

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Question about Circuits
« on: December 19, 2021, 02:36:56 pm »
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Hi, I would really appreciate some assistance on this area of physics that always does my head in.
I have attached an image of the question that I got wrong (had d=9V , c=5V, b=0V, a=0V) because I considered that the voltage will decrease anticlockwise when the answer suggested that it was in fact clockwise (a=9V, b=9V, c=4V, d=0V). However, I thought as electrons were the ones holding the energy, that this was meant to be correct, as electron flow was form the negative to positive terminal. So which way does electric potential energy actually flow and what are the correct values in the question for a, b, c and d.

Billuminati

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Re: Question about Circuits
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2021, 04:17:28 pm »
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Hi, I would really appreciate some assistance on this area of physics that always does my head in.
I have attached an image of the question that I got wrong (had d=9V , c=5V, b=0V, a=0V) because I considered that the voltage will decrease anticlockwise when the answer suggested that it was in fact clockwise (a=9V, b=9V, c=4V, d=0V). However, I thought as electrons were the ones holding the energy, that this was meant to be correct, as electron flow was form the negative to positive terminal. So which way does electric potential energy actually flow and what are the correct values in the question for a, b, c and d.

I think voltage drops actually happen in the direction of the conventional current. A and B will be 9V since the circuit hasn't encountered a resistor yet (ignoring resistance in wires), D will be 0 due to the Kirchoff rules and C will be 9-5 = 4V
« Last Edit: December 19, 2021, 04:21:44 pm by Billuminati »
VCE 2016-2018

2017: Biology [38], Further Maths [44]

2018: Methods [37], French [38], Chem [40], English [44]

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2019-2021: Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash (Scholars), minoring in Chemistry

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2022: Chilling

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sam777

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Re: Question about Circuits
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2021, 08:28:17 pm »
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Why is it in the direction of the conventional current though? Because aren't the electrons the ones carrying the voltage? The positive charges don't even move.

Billuminati

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Re: Question about Circuits
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2021, 12:47:16 am »
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Why is it in the direction of the conventional current though? Because aren't the electrons the ones carrying the voltage? The positive charges don't even move.

Unfortunately we’re stuck with the conventional current just cuz Ben Franklin thought protons were carriers of charge. So everything we do in circuit analysis is based on his incorrect model cuz by the time everyone realised that e-s carry the charge, everyone’s too accustomed to the old convention.
VCE 2016-2018

2017: Biology [38], Further Maths [44]

2018: Methods [37], French [38], Chem [40], English [44]

UMAT: 56/43/80, 57th percentile (LLLLOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL)

ATAR: 98.1

2019-2021: Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash (Scholars), minoring in Chemistry

GAMSAT September 2021: 65/67/86, 76 overall (98th percentile)

2022: Chilling

2023+: Transfer to teaching degree

sam777

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Re: Question about Circuits
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2021, 10:41:22 am »
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Oh wow.
Wait so if I am meant to define "current" in a question, would "the flow of positive charges" be correct or should I say the "flow of electrons"? Or should I explicitly mention conventional current and provide the definition for that, and then define electron flow as well?