I have a few conceptual questions. My physics class is doing a lab where we plac
ID: 2089817 • Letter: I
Question
I have a few conceptual questions. My physics class is doing a lab where we place brass electrodes in a tray that has about a cm of water or so in it. We use a dc power source to charge each electrode oppositely and we were told to measure voltages at several places in the tray to discover equipotential lines. I understand the concept of electric field lines being perpendicular to equipotential lines, but what i'm having trouble understanding is how there is potential difference at all in the tray. The water acts as a conductor here so i would think that the system would eventually reach electrostatic equilibrium and therefore not have a potential difference because the circuit is closed, but i know this is not the case. unfortunately i don't understand why so if you could explain this thoroughly to me it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!Explanation / Answer
on a long run it will eventually reach electrostatic equilbrium but in that case we will say the battery died.battery dies means there is no difference in the potentail of the positive and negative terminals of the battery,hey but also although water is good conductor it will sure have resistance which opposes the change in potentail diffrence.So there is voltage drop in it.
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