Thanks for that explanation. That's interesting that you said the electrons don't slow down, but if they are colliding with more atoms won't that make them slow down?
I'll try to explain you in some comical fashion.
Guess when there is a open ckt.... what would the electrons do.
Few gutsy electrons chat wid friend electrons and say..com'on lets rome. they set to go. they go...go...and...go.. and suddenly they discover that there is a broken wire
JUST AHEAD. Nw can they decide to go back???
Okie for that matter lets consider going back... They were out of the -ve terminal, right? Now will that same -ve terminal co operate with them?? (I mean due to force of repulsion, -ve plate of battery doesnt take them inside again.
Now you tell me what to do in such situation???
Cant do nothing. So electrons are pre warned of everything. When i say electrons comin out of -ve term. depend upon total resistance, that means they are aware of thr resistances in their path. The current comin out is predecided.
You can argue with yourself that does a grp of electron decides how much to pass thru resistance when resistance is next to them or do they decide where to go when there is parallel connectn and stop at the junction???
Now lets understand the second part.
When i say current (electrons) flow through circuit, it is not that the same electron must flow through the same circuit.
A metal consists of a lattice of atoms, each with a shell of electrons. This can also be known as a positive ionic lattice. The outer electrons are free to dissociate from their parent atoms and travel through the lattice, creating a 'sea' of electrons, making the metal a conductor. When an electrical potential difference (a voltage) is applied across the metal, the electrons drift from one end of the conductor to the other under the influence of the electric field.
Now when an electron comes from outside it adds to this sea and same amt of electrons are thrown out of the sea. Keeping the speed constant. But dissipiating heat.
Now if i say that the speed remains constant,where from this surplus energy in form of heat comes from. It comes from the battery.. That is why battery dies/drains one day.. It this was not the case, one, Law of conservation would be broken and two no battery would ever have drained.
Extend it to.. yourelf, walking on straight road and hill. On hill, u have more resistance, more energy, infact heat frm your body is disipiated. If you had to match th speed of walkin on hill and straight path, you would had to put in more energy and you will be quickly drained....!! Isnt it interesting.
Strech this idea to all what you knw in electronics.. coz even i have learned this all thru trials.. If in case something doesnt fit in this explanation let me know.
I understand the idea of conservation of energy and how if P=IxV and energy has been transformed into the heating of the resistor, then power must of have been dissipated and since the current is the same that leaves the voltage as the component that is less after going through the resistor.
I didnt get this.