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Chapter 20: Q8CQ (page 731)

How is the IR drop in a resistor similar to the pressure drop in a fluid flowing through a pipe?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The resistance to electric current introduced by a resistor is remarkably similar to the resistance to fluid flow introduced by a pipe constriction.

The battery in an electric circuit is similar to the pump in a water circuit. The battery absorbs charge at low voltage, performs some work on it, and ejects it at high voltage. In contrast, the pump takes a fluid at low pressure, performs some work on it, and ejects it at high pressure.

Step by step solution

01

Concept

While pressure drop in a fluid running through a pipe as from a pump along the pipe, voltage drop in a resistor is a drop in voltage from the voltage source to the resistance.

02

Explanation

The resistance to electric current introduced by a resistor is remarkably similar to the resistance to fluid flow introduced by a pipe constriction.

The battery in an electric circuit is similar to the pump in a water circuit; the battery absorbs charge at low voltage, works on it, and ejects it at high voltage. The pump takes a fluid at low pressure, works on it, and ejects it at high pressure.

A potential drop occurs when an electric current passes through a resistor. A pressure decrease occurs when fluid travels through a pipe in the same way

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