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by ialwaysneedhelp on February 28th, 2007

ialwaysneedhelp

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Why does the E-field produced by a battery in a circuit flow with the curvature of the wire and not just out the sides and into the air? Current flows due to the E-field, so am I right to assume it's direction is with the shape of the wire?

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Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by ChaiCustard on March 8th, 2007

    ChaiCustard

    Like gravity, E-Fields dont normally 'flow', but they will push current (ie electrons) around. Because wire contains huge numbers of FREE electrons, (unlike air, which doesnt), the current will flow in the wire, not the air.

    notes:
    1. because E-fields are mostly created by electrons, the presence of these in the wire attached to the battery will also alter the external E-field.

    2. Although it is only Electric fields that can put a force onto electrons (to make current), the complex physics of this has been re-conceptualised to help make understanding electic circuits (in wire) simpler. By using ideas like potential-difference, (which is a..) voltage, and resistance (ohms), and current. (amps)

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  • by engineer is Terminator on March 5th, 2007

    engineer is Terminator

    Electric field is a whole different concept. Corrent flows in aconductor due to ohms Lawwhich is as follows "other physical conditions remaining the same the current flowing through a conductor is directly propertional to the voltage applied across its ends".so V=IR where v is the voltage i the current and R = resistance of the conductor. Current flows through aconductor.
    Air is a dielecrtic ie its not agood conductor of elecrticity.of course very high voltage some times break its dielectric strengh and produce an arc.Current never flows due to electric field but due to electric potential.hence u need very high potential to convert air particles into charge of course for a shorter distance and for a shorter time. A battery cant help here as its voltage rating is very low = 1.5Volts

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