this post was submitted on 12 May 2024
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Mildly Interesting

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[–] aubeynarf@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

A battery (or transformer secondary) has two terminals - neither is “ground”, and electricity will flow between them if a circuit is formed.

Often, one terminal of a battery or transformer is connected to a ground stake, so it’s possible for ground to become part of the circuit. But ground is not any kind of natural destination for electricity. (Other than lightning, which is a result of a charge forming between the earth and the clouds)

it doesn’t “find” the path of least resistance. It takes (flows along) all possible paths simultaneously. If you connect two wires in parallel between the terminals of a battery, one of which is thick (resistance) and one of which is thin (high resistance), current will flow along both.

[–] Zoot@reddthat.com 1 points 6 months ago

You are taking my extremely simple analogy and making it complex. Good job!