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Neccesary for Electricity to Travel in a Loop?

M

Mr. Berserker

Jan 1, 1970
0
Is it really neccesary for electricity to travel in a loop? Looking an
example of a battery, with a conductor connected at the negative
terminal, and a load somewhere down the line (such as a radio), but no
connection to the positive terminal, I might think yes. The radio will
not function. But this is a result of the nature of the power supply,
yes? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that all electricity needs to
travel is a difference in potential? It seems that way with lightning
after all. Look at the grounding in a marine setting (like on a boat);
where does all that current go??
 
R

Robert Baer

Jan 1, 1970
0
Mr. Berserker said:
Is it really neccesary for electricity to travel in a loop? Looking an
example of a battery, with a conductor connected at the negative
terminal, and a load somewhere down the line (such as a radio), but no
connection to the positive terminal, I might think yes. The radio will
not function. But this is a result of the nature of the power supply,
yes? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that all electricity needs to
travel is a difference in potential? It seems that way with lightning
after all. Look at the grounding in a marine setting (like on a boat);
where does all that current go??

One needs a potential difference, AKA a *force* to move electrons;
that is what one may experience in a lightning storm.
However, there is always a full circle or circuit for electron flow
(AKA "curent").

Rocks fall downhill, the force is gravity.
Something (some energy at some other time) "put" the rocks up there to
begin with; so that could be considered the "circuit" or full circle for
the "flow" of the rocks.
 
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