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Voltage is sometimes called a potential. It is this potential across a circuit or load that causes current to flow. An analogy I like to use is a vat full of water with a spigot at the bottom.

The water in the vat is equivalent to the potential and could be said to be analogous to the electrons. With the spigot closed no water (electrons) flow. If you open the spigot a tiny bit and get a trickle of water then the resistance in the circuit is very high so the current is very low. Also it will take a while for the vat to empty. If you open the spigot all the way a lot of water will flow which is equivalent to a lower resistance. When the vat is empty the potential is zero and there is no more "current". This is the same when a battery goes dead, it has delivered all its free electrons and has a potential of zero.

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What pushes the current around the circuit?

A voltage supply is needed to operate a circuit.


What actions causes current in an electric circuit?

Current in an electric circuit is caused by the movement of electric charges, usually electrons, through a conductor. This movement is typically initiated by applying a voltage difference across the circuit, which creates an electric field that pushes the charges. The current flow will continue as long as there is a closed path for the charges to move through.


Where does current electricity start to flow?

Current electricity starts to flow when there is a closed circuit, allowing electric charge to move through a conductive path. This flow is initiated when a voltage source, such as a battery or power supply, creates a potential difference that pushes electrons through the circuit. The movement of these electrons constitutes an electric current, which can power devices and components within the circuit.


When wires are connected to the terminals of a battery. what causes electric current in the circuit?

The electric current in a circuit is caused by the flow of electrically charged particles, typically electrons, through the wires. When the battery is connected, it creates a potential difference (voltage) that pushes the electrons to move from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, creating a continuous flow of current in the circuit.


What controls the flow of electric current?

The flow of electric current is controlled by the voltage applied to a circuit. Voltage creates an electric field that pushes charged particles (electrons) through a conductor, allowing current to flow. The resistance in the circuit also affects the flow of current, as it determines how much opposition the current encounters.

Related Questions

What pushes electricity through a circuit?

the current


When dangerously high current flows through this overheated metal pushes the switch open to create an open circuit What is this?

A circuit breaker.


What pushes the current around the circuit?

A voltage supply is needed to operate a circuit.


What is the relationship between voltage potential and electrical current flow in a circuit?

Voltage potential is the force that pushes electrical current through a circuit. The higher the voltage, the greater the potential for current flow. In other words, voltage drives the flow of current in a circuit.


What does voltage cause?

Voltage causes the flow of electric current in a circuit. It is the driving force that pushes electrons through a conductor, allowing electrical devices to operate. The higher the voltage, the more current will flow through the circuit.


The available source of charge that pushes a charge through a circuit is?

The available source of charge that pushes a charge through a circuit is voltage.


What force pushes electrical current through wires and conductors?

Voltage is the force that pushes electrical current through wires and conductors. It creates an electrical pressure that drives the flow of electrons from areas of higher voltage to areas of lower voltage. This difference in voltage is what causes the electrical current to move through the circuit.


What is the relationship between voltage and electrode in an electrical circuit?

In an electrical circuit, the voltage is the force that pushes electric current through the circuit. The electrode is the conductor that allows the current to flow. The relationship between voltage and electrode is that the voltage creates a potential difference between the electrodes, which drives the flow of electrons through the circuit.


What are the two fundamental quantities in electricity?

The two fundamental quantities in electricity are voltage and current. Voltage is the force that pushes electrons through a circuit, while current is the flow of electrons through a conductor.


What is the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit?

In an electrical circuit, voltage is the force that pushes electric current through a conductor. Current is the flow of electric charge, and resistance is the opposition to the flow of current. According to Ohm's Law, the relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) is given by the equation V I R. This means that the voltage across a circuit is equal to the current flowing through it multiplied by the resistance of the circuit.


What is a voltmeter and what does it measure?

A voltmeter is a device used to measure the electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit. It measures voltage, which is the force that pushes electric current through a circuit.


What actions causes current in an electric circuit?

Current in an electric circuit is caused by the movement of electric charges, usually electrons, through a conductor. This movement is typically initiated by applying a voltage difference across the circuit, which creates an electric field that pushes the charges. The current flow will continue as long as there is a closed path for the charges to move through.