Question

Explain electric potential by taking the analogy to heat flow.

Answer 1

1. Potential is the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from one point to another
2. Heat energy always flows from a region of high temperature to low temperature.
3. For the flow of electric charge in a conductor, there should be a difference between the ends of the of the conductor called the potential difference which can be produced by a cell or a battery.
4. When the cell or a battery is connected to a conductor , the potential difference makes the charge to flow inside the conductor.
5. Just as heat flows from higher temperature to lower temperature, positive charges flow from higher potential to lower potential.
6. Heat is transmitted through atoms and electrical energy through charges .