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Grade 9Electric Current

Is it true that in a conductor having 0 ohm resistance then it doesn't need any voltage supply for the flow of electric current? And if yes then why?

Profile image of Shubham Kumar
5 Years agoGrade 9
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1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer11 Months ago

To address your question, it's important to clarify a few concepts about conductors, resistance, and electric current. In theory, if a conductor has zero ohms of resistance, it implies that it offers no opposition to the flow of electric current. However, this does not mean that no voltage is needed for current to flow. Let's break this down further.

The Role of Voltage in Current Flow

Electric current is the flow of electric charge, typically carried by electrons in a conductor. For current to flow, there must be a potential difference, or voltage, across the conductor. This voltage creates an electric field that pushes the charges through the material. Even in a perfect conductor, which has zero resistance, a voltage is still required to initiate and maintain the flow of current.

Understanding Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electronics, expressed as:

  • V = I × R

Where:

  • V is the voltage (in volts),
  • I is the current (in amperes), and
  • R is the resistance (in ohms).

If we set R to zero (as in a perfect conductor), the equation simplifies to:

  • V = I × 0

This means that for any current (I) to exist, the voltage (V) must also be zero. However, this scenario is purely theoretical and applies under ideal conditions. In practical terms, even the best conductors have some resistance, and a voltage is necessary to drive current through any material.

Real-World Implications

In real-world applications, superconductors are materials that can exhibit zero resistance under certain conditions, typically at very low temperatures. In these cases, once a current is established, it can continue to flow indefinitely without additional voltage. However, to initiate the current flow in a superconductor, a voltage is still required. This initial voltage helps to overcome any initial resistance or barriers present in the system.

Analogy for Better Understanding

Think of a water pipe system. The water pressure (analogous to voltage) is necessary to push water (analogous to electric current) through the pipes. If the pipes are perfectly smooth (analogous to zero resistance), water can flow freely, but you still need that initial pressure to get the flow started. Without pressure, the water will not move, regardless of how smooth the pipes are.

Final Thoughts

In summary, while a conductor with zero resistance allows for effortless current flow, it still requires a voltage supply to initiate that flow. The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance is fundamental to understanding how electrical systems operate, whether in theoretical models or practical applications.