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Which way do electrons spontaneously flow in a closed circuit?
So overall, electrons flow AROUND the circuit, toward the negative end inside the battery, pushed by the chemical reaction, and toward the positive end in the outside circuit, pushed by the electrical voltage.
When electrons flow what happens?
Whenever electrons flow in a conductor, they produce a magnetic field. This effect is called electromagnetism. Fig. 2.4A shows how the magnetic lines of force encircle a wire through which current is flowing.
Do electrons really flow?
Electrons do not move along a wire like cars on a highway. Each atom has electrons in it. If you put new electrons in a conductor, they will join atoms, and each atom will deliver an electron to the next atom. This next atom takes in the electron and sends out another one on the other side.
How do electrons move in a closed circuit?
The electric field is going to cause the electrons to move toward the positive terminal of the battery. Since there isn’t a closed path for them to flow, the electrons are going to “bunch up” at the end of the wire close to the positive terminal.
How do electrons know when a circuit is?
When the battery is connected, there is a path for the electrons to flow and all the built up charge is absorbed into the battery. Since there is a closed path for the electrons to flow around the circuit, there is no way for a charge to build up that opposes the electric field of the battery.
How does current flow in a closed circuit?
An analysis of a circuit containing a capacitor, such as the above shown RC circuit, shows however that current DOES still flow, even though the circuit is not ‘closed’ in the sense that you mean it. You might ask “how does current flow, if there is a gap of air between the capacitor plates?”
How are electrons affected when a wire is not connected?
The wires do contain electrons, however. Conductors have free electrons which can “float” around in the metal. There is an electric field between the two terminals of the battery. The electrons experience a force due to this field. When the wire is not connected, the electrons don’t go anywhere because there isn’t a path for them to flow around.