Yes or NO

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CBE

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As a general statement if someone said:

Electricity follows the path of least resistance

correct.....Yes or NO ?



We understand the implication regarding impedance and the possibility of multiple paths, but this is a general statement

Appreciate your response
 
I'd also give that a "no", since the implication is that it follows that path and no other.
 
Another no here, just a common myth.

Roger
 
bwat said:
Close, but "no".

More correct would be: "Electricity follows all paths proportional to the resistance"
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Correction:
"Electricity follows all paths proportional to the conductance."
or
"Electricity follows all paths, inversely proportional to the resistance"

To get more advanced and accurate, replace "resistance" with "impedance", and "conductance" with "admittance".
 
Carultch said:
Correction:
"Electricity follows all paths proportional to the conductance."
or
"Electricity follows all paths, inversely proportional to the resistance"

To get more advanced and accurate, replace "resistance" with "impedance", and "conductance" with "admittance".
Click to expand...

Good points. “Inversely proportional” vs “proportional” would have been more correct.
 
CBE said:
Implication would be using the word "only follows" ???
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I usually try not to read beyond what's written. "Only follows" could emphasize the path that the electricity follows, but I wouldn't read the original sentence to suggest that electricity may follow other paths, even though I know that to be the case. I'm not about to parse the writer's intent through appeal to what "everybody knows" or similar ex post facto reasoning.
 
Most of the time when someone says that, they are thinking that all of the current goes on that path. Even without the word "only" in the statement, my answer is no.
 
To strictly answer the yes/no question, the answer is yes. Current in general, does indeed flow along the path of least resistance. It is misleading to think in terms of this statement, because current will take all available paths that it can take, even if a path of less resistance exists.

I can create a counterexample to this answer, where electricity doesn't flow in "the path of least resistance". You would ultimately need to replace resistance with impedance, to reconcile the original statement.

Path 1 = a 1kohm resistor.
Path 2 = a 100 Ohm resistor, in series with a paralleled ideal inductor and capacitor.
The supply waveform matches the resonant frequency.

Path 2 is strictly speaking, the path of least resistance, but the current will flow through Path 1 instead. The electricity in Path 2 is stuck in an infinite loop, of exchanging energy between the capacitor and inductor. On net, no new electricity will get through Path 2, once the system gets to steady state.
 
infinity said:
My thinking as well, I believe they actually told us that in apprentice school back in the 80's. 😏
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Yes thats where I picked up the language, but mine was the late 70's. We all know otherwise but it was phrase, just a general statement made.... I used on one of our videos and he called me out in a e-mail like I executed someone.
 
CBE said:
As a general statement if someone said: XXX
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This is where we need to pause and reflect on the use of language in an attempt to communicate. It often fails us, without our being aware of the fact.

For starters, we all speak at least two languages, again whether or not we are aware of the fact. There is what I like to call "Conversational English." Then there is the language of whatever our profession might be. A simple example is when a homeowner goes to the hardware store to buy an "emergency generator" for their home. That phrase is used in the "Conversational English" language. The homeowner knows nothing about article 700, but we do, because the word "emergency" means something in the language of our profession. So whenever I hear the phrase "emergency generator," I pause to ask a question or two, to get the word into the right context.

Regarding the "path of least resistance" question, I would want to get it into context. Who is asking, do they understand the language of the electrical professional, and why are they asking? The simple answer, as others have already discussed, is "no." But perhaps the person is looking for a clearer understanding of the underlying physical situation. So if I were to be asked that question, I would go into what my wife would describe as a "reference interview." Ask a few questions, and try to get a feel for the person is trying to understand.
 
charlie b said:
This is where we need to pause and reflect on the use of language in an attempt to communicate. It often fails us, without our being aware of the fact.

For starters, we all speak at least two languages, again whether or not we are aware of the fact. There is what I like to call "Conversational English." Then there is the language of whatever our profession might be. A simple example is when a homeowner goes to the hardware store to buy an "emergency generator" for their home. That phrase is used in the "Conversational English" language. The homeowner knows nothing about article 700, but we do, because the word "emergency" means something in the language of our profession. So whenever I hear the phrase "emergency generator," I pause to ask a question or two, to get the word into the right context.

Regarding the "path of least resistance" question, I would want to get it into context. Who is asking, do they understand the language of the electrical professional, and why are they asking? The simple answer, as others have already discussed, is "no." But perhaps the person is looking for a clearer understanding of the underlying physical situation. So if I were to be asked that question, I would go into what my wife would describe as a "reference interview." Ask a few questions, and try to get a feel for the person is trying to understand.
Click to expand...
Counter-intuitively, the simpler the question, the more complicated the answer.
 
Just think of lightning .. sometimes its just 1 big fat bolt and other times it could be a web like image crackling across the sky, I suppose resistance is the path of least resistance or as mentioned before directly proportioned according to the material between a positive charge seeking a negative reference. I was blown away when I was told Lighting many times starts from the ground as a tracer. sorry off topic .. Electricity is pretty amazing.
 
If you feel your hair start to stand up, and perhaps you hear a hiss, you might want to hit the ground quickly.
 
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