Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 27 - Circuits - Questions - Page 794: 4b

Answer

We can rank the segments according to the magnitude of the average electric field in them: $b \gt d \gt a = c = e$

Work Step by Step

Across sections $a, c,$ and $e$, the potential difference is zero, so the electric field is zero. Across sections $b$ and $d$, the potential difference is non-zero, so the electric field is non-zero. Note that in general: $\Delta V = i~R$ Since $R_1 \gt R_2$, the magnitude of the potential difference across $R_1$ is greater than the magnitude of the potential difference across $R_2$. Therefore, the magnitude of the electric field in section $b$ is greater than the magnitude of the electric field in section $d$ We can rank the segments according to the magnitude of the average electric field in them: $b \gt d \gt a = c = e$
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