Physics
(a) State whether the current is a scalar or vector? What does the direction of current convey?
(b) State whether the potential is a scalar or vector? What does the positive and negative sign of potential convey?
Answer
(a) Current is a scalar quantity.
By stating the direction of current in a conductor we mean that the direction of motion of electrons is opposite to it.
(b) Potential is a scalar quantity.
When the potential is positive at a point in the vicinity of a positive charge since work has to be done on the positive test charge against the repulsive force due to the positive charge in bringing it from infinity, while it is negative at a point in the vicinity of a negative charge since the attractive force on test charge due to the negative charge does work by itself.
Related Questions
How is the electric potential difference between the two points defined? State it's S.I. unit.
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(a) Name the particles which are responsible for the flow of current in a metallic wire.
(b) Explain the flow of current in a metallic wire on the basis of movement of the particles named by you above in part (a).
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