How does a battery make a current?

In summary: This creates a chain reaction of squeezing down the line. In the same way, the electrons in the wire react to changes in the electric field and transfer the force to their neighboring electrons. In summary, the flow of electric current is not affected by the curvature of the wire, as long as the resistance remains the same.
  • #1
hokhani
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If a battery run a current by making the positive charge at one end and negative charge at the other end, in other words by making an electric field inside the wire, then we should expect to have larger currents when the wire is straight rather than bent. In the straight form, the electric field inside the wire is directly pointed from the positive charge to negative while in the curved form the effects of the electric field is less than straight one. Is this true? I would be grateful if anyone please explain this.
 
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  • #2
You can compare the electric current to a flow of water in a plastic pipe that has a pressure difference between its ends. Does the flow rate of water depend on the curvature of the tube?
 
  • #3
hokhani said:
we should expect to have larger currents when the wire is straight rather than bent
Assuming that the resistance of the curved wire is the same as the resistance of the straight wire, then the currents will be the same. The current depends on the resistance by ##I=V/R##. The curvature of the wire is not relevant.
 
  • #4
hokhani said:
In the straight form, the electric field inside the wire is directly pointed from the positive charge to negative while in the curved form the effects of the electric field is less than straight one. Is this true? I would be grateful if anyone please explain this.

The electrical force is transferred through the wire because the conduction electrons react most to the charge density in their immediate neighborhood. Think of a line of people who are holding hands and are instructed to squeeze the hand of the person on their left side when their own right hand gets squeezed.
 
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Related to How does a battery make a current?

1. How does a battery produce a current?

A battery produces a current by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. This process involves a chemical reaction within the battery that creates a flow of electrons, resulting in a current.

2. What components are involved in a battery's current production?

A battery consists of two electrodes (positive and negative), an electrolyte solution, and a separator. The chemical reaction between the electrodes and electrolyte produces a flow of electrons, which is the current.

3. How does the size of a battery affect its current production?

The size of a battery, specifically the amount of active material in the electrodes, affects its current production. A larger battery with more active material can produce a larger current, while a smaller battery with less active material will produce a smaller current.

4. Why does a battery eventually lose its ability to produce a current?

A battery's ability to produce a current decreases over time due to the depletion of the active materials in the electrodes. As the chemical reaction occurs, the active materials are used up, resulting in a decrease in the battery's voltage and current production.

5. How does the type of battery affect its current production?

The type of battery, such as alkaline, lithium-ion, or lead-acid, can affect its current production due to differences in the chemical reactions and materials used. Some batteries may have higher energy density and therefore produce a higher current, while others may have lower energy density and produce a lower current.

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