I am just learning electricity and while I was reading a book on it, a question came to head...


If ampere is the rate of current flow, wouldn't the rate be different at certain points of a closed circuit if there are resistance/resistors? Since wouldn't the current be travelling at a much faster rate before it reaches the resistance/resistor and after?

Current (amps) is the rate of charge flow. This rate is constant around a single closed circuit, but the electric potential drops across resistors.

Here's an analogy that is sometimes useful (but don't take it too far - it has limits): If charge is water, then a circuit is water in a closed pipe. Current is the flow rate and voltage is the pressure. A battery is a pump - it adds pressure. A resistor is a mill or a generator - it reduces pressure.

Because water is effectively incompressible, the flow of water around the circuit must be the same at all points.

Originally posted by Pete
Because water is effectively incompressible, the flow of water around the circuit must be the same at all points.

So is the city of New York like a dam then?? :D

More like a blocked toilet, maybe?
:eek:

Thx Pete