Why all points of a conductor are not at same potential?

Current flows in a conductor under a potential difference maintained between the two ends of the conductor. Thus, flow of charge in a conductor occurs under a potential difference maintained between the two ends of a conductor. Hence, all points of a conductor are not always at same potential.

Why do conductors have the same potential?

A charged conductor is equipotential because an external electric field causes current to flow inside it, making electrons move, causing separation of charges and setting up an electric field inside it which opposes the external electric field.

Is it possible for two points on the same conductor to be at different potentials?

Equipotential lines at different potentials can never cross either. This is because they are, by definition, a line of constant potential. The equipotential at a given point in space can only have a single value. Note: It is possible for two lines representing the same potential to cross.

Is the electric potential same at every point in the electric field?

If there is no electric field in a place, then there will be no electric force on any charge. And so, the potential difference between any two point will be zero. So, the electric potential V is same for every point on the sphere. Because electric potential depends only on the distance from the charge.

What is the potential difference in a conductor?

One volt is the potential difference between two points in a current-carrying conductor when 1 joule of work is done to move a charge of 1 coulomb from one point to the other. Therefore, 1-volt equals (1 joule) divided by (1 coulomb) The potential difference is measured by means of an instrument called the voltmeter.

What is same potential?

Physics (1979) Yes , the same potential means equipotential and the work done in moving the charge between them is zero , 132 views Answer requested by. Atif Qureshi.

What is the potential difference between two conductors?

‘The potential difference between two conductors is 1 volt’. Explain the meaning of this statement. The potential difference between two points is 1 volt; it means 1 joule of work is done in transferring 1 coulomb of charge from one point to the other point.

Is potential difference in a conductor zero?

Note: A zero electric field inside the conductor indicates that no potential difference exists between two points on the inside of the conductor. Since zero is also a constant number, the electrostatic potential inside the conductor can also be taken to be zero.

Why do electric field lines never intersect each other?

The direction of electric field line generally changes from point to point and hence are curved lines. And this implies two directions of electric field intensity at the point of intersection, which is not possible. Hence, two field lines never cross each other.

Is electric potential always continuous?

Practically, electric potential is always a continuous function in space; Otherwise, the spatial derivative of it will yield a field with infinite magnitude, which is practically impossible. Even an idealized point charge has 1 ⁄ r potential, which is continuous everywhere except the origin.

Why is the potential difference at one point in a conductor?

A potential difference is always between two points, not at one. The P.D is zero for static E on the conductor and on its surface. Sharpen your question a bit because the electric field inside a conductor is 0 (in equilibrium)meaning that the potential is at most a constant.

What happens if you connect just one terminal to a conductor?

If you connect just one terminal to the conductor, and leave the other terminal open, all points on the conductor will have the same potential as the terminal. All points on an ideal conductor are always at the same potential.

Why does voltage drop when a conductor is connected to a conductor?

That’s because there is a voltage drop due to it’s internal resistance, as current flows from one point (A) to another point (B) through the conductor. If you connect just one terminal to the conductor, and leave the other terminal open, all points on the conductor will have the same potential as the terminal.

Why is the electric potential constant at the eletrostatic equilibrium?

In that case the answer is because when the eletrostatic equilibrium is reached, all free charges within the conductor find their place on the boundary of the conductor in such a way that the electric potential is constant it the whole conductor.