Before discussing the electrical potential, let’s review the current understanding of listrik.Semua you certainly understand that an electric current occurs because of the flow of electrons in which each electron has a charge of the same amount. If we have a negatively charged object means the object has an excess of electrons. Termuatinya degrees the object is measured by the number of electrons that exist.
The charge of an electron, often expressed by the symbol q or e, expressed in coulombs, that is equal to q = 1.6 × 10 -19 coulomb. Suppose we have a piece of copper wire which is typically used as a conductor of electricity on the grounds are relatively inexpensive, robust and resistant to corrosion. The amount of conduction in the wire just depends on the presence of free electrons (from the valence electrons), because the nuclear charge and the electrons on the track in tightly bound in the crystal structure.
Basically the wires contained within the flow of electrons in a very large number, if the number of electrons that move to the right and to the left as great then as if nothing happen. But if the right edge wire pulling electrons while the left end release, there will be a flow of electrons to the right (but remember, in this case agreed that the current direction to the left). Aliranelektron was then called electric current.
Understanding Electric Potential
Electric potential is also commonly referred to as the power supply voltage. Will easily analogize the flow of electricity to the water flow. Suppose we have two tubes connected by piping as shown. If the tube is placed on the table, the surface of the water in the second tube will be the same, and in this case there is no water flow in the pipe. If one of the tubes removed then the water will naturally flow from the tube to the lower tube.
The higher the tube removed increasingly heavy flow of water through the pipe.
Figure 1.17 Potential Energy Water
The occurrence of these flows can be understood by the concept of potential energy. The high tube shows the potential energy possessed. The most important thing in this case is the height difference the second tube which also determines the magnitude of the potential difference. So the greater the potential differences increasingly heavy flow of water in the pipe. The same concept will apply to the flow of electrons in a conductor.
Which determines how much current flows is the magnitude of the potential difference (expressed in units of volts). So for a conductor the greater the potential difference the greater the current flowing. It should be noted that the potential difference measured between the ends of a conductor. But sometimes we are talking about a potential at a given point. In this case we are actually measuring the potential difference at that point to a specific reference point.
As a standard reference point is usually selected ground point (ground). Further we can analogize a battery or batteries as water tubes are removed. These batteries have prepared the chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. If the battery is not in use, so no energy is released, but keep in mind that the potential of the battery there. Almost all battery gives potential (electromotive force – emf) is almost the same even if the current flow from the battery.
Pictures 1:18 Electric Potential in Electric Energy Sources
At the installation of the water system, the water can flow along the still pressure on one end of the pipe and the other end of the pipe in an open condition. The greater the water pressure in the pipe, the greater the flow of water to flow through the pipe. The same applies to the installation of electrical systems. Electrons can flow along there is still pressure on the electrical system of the electrical installation. The term commonly used to refer to electrical pressure is the voltage, potential difference and electromotive force.