Question

I am having a bit of trouble understanding what an ideal wire is.

Let's assume there is a positive charge on the positive terminal of the battery and a negative on the other side which will give us the same results. Now electric potential is given as integral of E.dr. Therefore the potential will decrease with the distance .How is it possible that there is same potential across a wire. Electrons would not move if this was the case.

Also it is said that potential is dropped across a resistor and all the energy lost is made in heat energy,and that the battery provides this energy,now when an electron moves closer to a proton because of Coulomb attraction potential energy is also lost but no one has to provide it in this case? Also when it moves closer energy is lost and similar happens in a resistance although resistance provides an obstruction the energy lost in that should be different how can we equate these two and make them heat dissipation?Can someone answer these questions

Answer 1

An ideal wire is assumed to have zero resistance, allowing for a constant potential across its length despite actual negligible resistance. The battery supplies energy to overcome resistive losses, and a voltage drop across resistors is due to conversion of potential energy into thermal energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the Concept of an Ideal Wire and Energy Dissipation

When we talk about electric potential in the context of circuits and conductors, it is essential to understand the concept of an ideal wire. An ideal wire is considered to have zero resistance, which means that it maintains the same potential across its entire length, irrespective of its length. In reality, this is a simplification, as all materials have some intrinsic resistance, but for practical purposes in a circuit, the resistance of the connecting wires is often negligible compared to other components like resistors.

As electrons pass through a conductor, they experience a force due to the electric field within the conductor. This electric field is established by the battery, creating a potential difference between the two terminals. The battery, through its chemical reactions, continuously supplies energy, compensating for the loss of energy due to resistive forces within the circuit components. The force exerted on electrons moves them through the circuit, from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.

When we speak about potential dropping across a resistor, we're referencing the fact that the electric potential energy is converted into thermal energy due to collisions between the electrons and the atoms that make up the resistor. This conversion results in the well-known effect of resistors heating up when current passes through them. The resistance encountered leads to a decrease in the electric potential or voltage drop, which is precisely why we can measure a decrease in voltage across a resistor in a circuit.

In contrast, the wire connecting the components in a circuit, which is assumed to have negligible resistance, does not contribute significantly to the potential drop. Hence, for most practical purposes, the potential is considered the same at different points in an ideal wire. This is the key to maintaining a controlled flow of electrons to perform useful work, such as lighting a bulb or driving a motor.

Lastly, any energy that is not stored in a battery is due to the chemical potential. As the battery discharges, the potential it supplies reduces because the maximum potential each cell can provide decreases as the chemical reactants are used up. Recharging or replacing the battery reverses the depletion of these reactants, restoring the battery's ability to maintain its electric potential.