What does it mean to say electricity will always follow the path of least resistance?

Electricity passes through all possible paths whether the resistance is high or low. Just the difference is that the current is more in which resistance is less. This is a direct implication of Ohm’s law. Electricity takes the path of least resistance.

What path does electricity follow?

An electric circuit is a pathway through which electric current flows. Now you know that electric current flows through a path called a circuit.

How do electrons know what is the path of least resistance?

So the electrons don’t know in advance what path has the least resistance, and indeed the first few electrons to flow will choose random paths. However once the current has stabilised electron flow is restricted by the electron flowing ahead, and these are restricted by the resistance of the paths.

What will an electric current always follow?

There is a very dangerous myth floating around, one which could actually result in severe injury and even death – “Electricity always follows the path of least resistance”.

What is the path of least resistance sociology?

The “path of least resistance” is the path that follows the social norms/values of a society, not opposing them. Eg. at one time segregation was the norm (path of least resistance) and social reformers were opposing these norms. • The path of least resistance affects how we think, feel, and behave.

What is the path of least resistance of electricity?

The Path of Least Resistance Contrary to popular belief, electricity takes all paths available in inverse proportion to the impedance of the paths. The magnitude of the current flowing in a path depends on the path’s voltage and impedance. The lower the impedance (assuming voltage remains constant), the greater the current.

What is the relationship between voltage and resistance?

The paths in parallel have a combined resistance, which a voltage builds across, according to ohm’s law. Then the current through each path is that voltage divided by the resistance of each path. On average electricity follows the path of least resistance. Passing through regions that have more resistance uses more energy.

Why does electricity flow in different paths?

Electricity doesn’t pick and choose; it follows ALL paths. Some paths are more favored (carry more current) than others, but current flows in all available paths. Ohms Law quantifies how much current flows in each path: I = V/R means that the more restrictive path—the one with the highest resistance—will have the least current.

What determines the path of current in an electrical circuit?

In an electrical circuit, for DC, current takes the path of least reisitance; For AC it takes the path of least inductance (impedance). So a pulse of voltage will cause the current distribution to be determined by path inductance and then finish with the distribution determined by resistance.