Two points have a potential difference of 10 V. After connecting a conductor with zero resistance between the points, the final potential at each point becomes 25 V. What could be their initial potentials?
Two points have a potential difference of 10 V. After connecting a conductor with zero resistance between the points, the final potential at each point becomes 25 V. What could be their initial potentials?
The correct option is B 20 V and 30 V
Let the points be denoted by A and B, and let VA>VB, where VA and VB denote the potentials at A and B respectively.
The potential difference is defined as the difference in potential between A and B.
⇒VA−VB=10V
Now, when a conductor with zero resistance connects A and B, the point with lower potential tends to increase its potential and the point with higher potential tends to decrease its potential by the same amount. In this case, the amount by which the potentials at A and B change is half their initial potential difference.
So, VB increases by 5 V and VA decreases by 5 V.
Hence, VB will be 25−5=20 V
And, VA will be 25+5=30 V
20 V and 30 V
Let the points be denoted by A and B, and let VA>VB, where VA and VB denote the potentials at A and B respectively.
The potential difference is defined as the difference in potential between A and B.
⇒VA−VB=10V
Now, when a conductor with zero resistance connects A and B, the point with lower potential tends to increase its potential and the point with higher potential tends to decrease its potential by the same amount. In this case, the amount by which the potentials at A and B change is half their initial potential difference.
So, VB increases by 5 V and VA decreases by 5 V.
Hence, VB will be 25−5=20 V
And, VA will be 25+5=30 V
