Final answer:
An insulating rod or insulating stick is the non-conducting device that fits into a volt probe for safe electrical measurements. To determine the current in a silicon rod, you would use Ohm's Law and the rod's dimensions, along with silicon's electrical properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The non-conducting 36 inch rod that fits into the volt probe is typically referred to as an insulating rod or insulating stick. This rod is used to safely conduct measurements with the volt probe without the operator being at risk of electric shock, ensuring a safe distance between the electrical circuit and the individual. Insulating rods are made from materials with high resistance that do not allow electricity to easily flow through them. To calculate the current that flows through a 2.54-cm-diameter rod of pure silicon which is 20.0 cm long when 1.00 × 10³ V is applied to it, we need to apply Ohm's Law and knowledge about the electrical properties of silicon. First, the area of the rod's cross-section is found by using the formula for the area of a circle (πr²) and converting the diameter to the radius in meters. The resistivity of silicon is then used to find the resistance of the rod via the formula R = ρL/A, where ρ is resistivity, L is the length, and A is the cross-sectional area. Finally, Ohm's Law (V = IR) allows us to find the current I by dividing the applied voltage V by the resistance R.