What happens when current from the positive terminal of a battery reaches the negative terminal? Do the charges stop flowing when it reaches the negative terminal?
In: Physics
Flow of electricity is very similar to flow of water. One end is where the electrons (water) is stored, the other end is where the electrons (water) want to be. Voltage is water pressure, current is volume of flow.
When positive and negative is connected by wires (pipes) then electrons (water) flows as fast as possible, due to the voltage (pressure). The amount that flows through a cross section of wire (pipe) is determined by resistance (pipe diameter/circumference). When you balance the electrons (water) that wants to go from one end to the other, there’s no more voltage (pressure) difference and therefore no current (flow) — pipes are full.
Another thing to note… static discharge from rubbing socks on carpet and touching a doorknob can reach up to 40 thousand volts. Voltage is typically not what kills someone, its the current. With this example — voltage is like getting hit lightly or by Mike Tyson. Current can be low flow from a shower head or super high like a water jet. People use waterjets to cut through steel, diamonds, and other super hard materials.
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