As can be seen in this figure the wider the distance between two electrodes the deeper currents go. My question is, what is the mechanism and why do currents just go directly across?
Link to figure: [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/f-9xt3dmrVIadKiPgMzfWOT9fqJgr3WSEaCrkOK7v29RZHmEEumi5TGcEOnno88e9gsqmjpc05af8dgryyXW0dYfH5JZVPX0p0PZb_gP3YnWyTYkOXgl-k1EgScSHc33GhcaNr8](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/f-9xt3dmrVIadKiPgMzfWOT9fqJgr3WSEaCrkOK7v29RZHmEEumi5TGcEOnno88e9gsqmjpc05af8dgryyXW0dYfH5JZVPX0p0PZb_gP3YnWyTYkOXgl-k1EgScSHc33GhcaNr8)
In: Physics
“Electric current always goes the path of least resistance.” is just semi-true. Everything (except supraconductors) has a non-zero electric resistance. If in a medium there was a path of zero resistance, all the current would go there, that is true. But since everything has a resistance, and in homogenic media it is everywhere the same locally, we have a distribution of current gradually decresing from a straight line between the electrodes. So if you have a large volume of some material and want a certain amount of current go through a specific part of it, you can either increase the current such that with respect to its density gradient you get what you’re looking for, or you just place several electrodes around the area and get a more aimed approach that needs less current.
The current does go directly across but then where does the next molecule go? It takes the next closest path which is just right around the straight path.
It’s an electric effect since the positive energy on one diode is moving to the energy deficient “negative” terminal, it pushes away all the other positive molecules moving across so imagine it’s like people social distancing but still going to the same spot.
It’s likely that model isn’t showing the straight lines because it wants you to understand the general path. Remember models are never exact they are just good at showing you one aspect of the theory. The further they are away the more dramatic the curve has to be to keep a distance from the next molecule. If you trace around a shape a few times you’ll notice how big it starts to get.
In reality at some point the energy would go straight in a different direction as soon as the curve would be energy unfavorable and it would just shoot straight down and we start all over…try searching “phet interactive simulations” they have great modes in real time you can manipulate
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