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A Graphic Example of Ohm's Law

So you are starting to learn about electricity. As a graphic example of ohms law we will use two
bodies of water connected by a pipe

How Ohm's Law Works - The Simple Explanation


We have been told and know that V=IR, but why does it work? This is a simple explanation of
Ohm's law and why it works.
First, Let's start with the terms:
V=voltage
The easiest way to think of voltage is to call it potential. Infact, lots of people refer to voltage a
potential. Voltage is the potential to do work. Imagine two bodies of water connected with a pipe. If
one body of water is higher than the other then there is potential for water to flow from the high
potential to the low potential.
I=current
Current is simply the transfer of something from one place to another. In the example with two
bodies of water connected with a pipe, the current is the actual flow of water through the pipe
between the two bodies of water.
R=resistance
Resistance is the, well, resistance. It is anything that opposes the flow of current. In the example of
two bodies of water connected by a pipe, resistance is formed by the pipe. As the pipe gets wider,
more current flows because the resistance gets lower. As the pipe gets narrower, less current flows
because the resistance gets lower. If there were no pipe between the two bodies of water, then we
woud say there is infinite resistance. No current would flow.
So now lets put it all together, and create ohm's law. Let's try to solve for I (current) based on what
we know about voltage (potential) and resistance.
First we will start with voltage. If we think back to the example of two bodies of water connected
with a pipe. If we move the higher body of water even higher, then we create more potential
between the two bodies of water. If nothing about the pipe between them changes, then the water
will flow faster. Therefore, if V goes up, I goes up.
Now we look at resistance. If we constrict the pipe by making it less wide then we get less water
flow. We have increased the resistance of the pipe. Thus, if R goes up, I goes down.
Now we can put it all together:
I=V/R
This equation covers all of our requirements for the relationships between voltage, current, and
resistance. If we rearrange the equation we get:
V=I*R

As the pipe gets narrower the water would have to flow faster to maintain a constant mass flow rate

True, but a better explanation would be:

If the pipe get smaller you would have to raise body of water "a" higher or body of water "b" lower
or both to get the same mass flow rate as you would if the pipe was larger and bodies of water
stayed the same.. otherwise new learners would be like "well how does it flow faster?" Tech terms
would be "increasing current to compensate for the added resistence in order to maintain desired
voltage"

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