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In a closed circuit there is a potential drop due to resistance of wires and battery (internal).

Answer

When the circuit is closed, the resulting current not only flows through the external circuit, but through the source (battery, generator, transformer, etc.) itself. All sources have an internal resistance, which causes an internal voltage drop, slightly reducing the voltage across the terminals. The larger the current, the larger the internal voltage drop, and the lower the terminal voltage.

When the circuit is open, no current flows. So there is no internal voltage drop, and the full voltage appears across the source's terminals.

The 'open-circuit voltage' is actually the electromotive force provided by the source.

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A: There is a relationship one needs the other both can coexists but not each alone.


Is the sum of the potential differences equal to the voltage applied across them?

Yes for a closed circuit


What quality does the voltmeter measure when the switch is open?

When the switch is open, the voltmeter measures the potential difference (voltage) across the terminals of the circuit components or power source it is connected to. This measurement indicates the voltage available in the circuit without any current flowing, allowing for the assessment of the electrical potential that could drive current if the circuit were closed. The reading reflects the circuit's voltage characteristics under open-circuit conditions.


How is electrical current produced?

A potential difference (volts) is set up between the two ends of a conductor. If there are any electrons available to move, then their negative electric charges persuade them to move away from the more negative potential and toward the more positive potential, resulting in current.


What determines if electricity is present in a circuit?

Electricity is present in a circuit when there is a complete path for the flow of electric current, typically created by connecting a power source to a load. This requires a closed circuit, which means all components are properly connected without any breaks. Additionally, the presence of a voltage difference (potential difference) across the circuit is essential, as it drives the movement of electrons. If any part of this system is interrupted or the voltage is insufficient, electricity will not flow.

Related Questions

How does voltage produce current?

Voltage across two terminals mean there exists a potential difference, and when the circuit gets closed, due to this potential difference the current flow.


Electricity will flow only if an electrical circuit is?

if an electric circuit has potential difference. Electricity will flow only if an electrical circuit is closed.


What happens in a circuit to voltage when current flows?

A: There is a relationship one needs the other both can coexists but not each alone.


Is the sum of the potential differences equal to the voltage applied across them?

Yes for a closed circuit


Is there a relationship between the sums and the electrical potential across the source?

Yes, there is a relationship between the sums of electrical potential differences in a circuit and the electrical potential across the source. The sum of the potential differences around a closed loop in a circuit equals zero, known as Kirchhoff's Voltage Law. This means that the sum of the potential drops across circuit elements is equal to the potential rise across the power source.


What is required for current to flow through an electrical current?

Potential Source connected across a Closed Circuit Path.


What 2 things do you need for a current to flow?

To create a current flow, you need a closed circuit that allows the movement of charged particles, such as electrons, and a potential difference across the circuit that drives the flow of these charged particles.


Is voltage potential or kenetic energy?

Voltage is a measure of electric potential energy in a circuit, representing the force that pushes electric charges around a closed loop. It is a potential energy difference between two points in a circuit.


Is electrical energy potential, kinetic, or both in a closed circuit system?

In a closed circuit system, electrical energy is both potential and kinetic.


What quality does the voltmeter measure when the switch is open?

When the switch is open, the voltmeter measures the potential difference (voltage) across the terminals of the circuit components or power source it is connected to. This measurement indicates the voltage available in the circuit without any current flowing, allowing for the assessment of the electrical potential that could drive current if the circuit were closed. The reading reflects the circuit's voltage characteristics under open-circuit conditions.


How is electrical current produced?

A potential difference (volts) is set up between the two ends of a conductor. If there are any electrons available to move, then their negative electric charges persuade them to move away from the more negative potential and toward the more positive potential, resulting in current.


Why is an electricity not flow in an open circuit?

The electricity will flow from higher potential to lower potential in a closed circuit.