Q&A: What are the similarities and differences between an electrical circuit and the flow of water in pipes?

by Lower Columbia College

Question by Worldmeetsheartbeat: What are the similarities and differences between an electrical circuit and the flow of water in pipes?
science – physics – electrical circuits

Best answer:

Answer by oldprof
Similarities:

The current of water flows in pipes much like the current of electrons flows in wires. Where pipes split the current splits; where wires split the current splits.

The current of water flows faster when the water pressure goes higher. The current of electrons flows faster when the voltage goes higher.

The current of water flows slower when the cross sectional area of the pipes is constricted. The current of electrons flows slower when the cross sectional area of the wires is constricted.

Differences:

The current of water flows onto the ground when a pipe is severed. The current of electrons through a wire does not.

Increasing current of water flow causes a minimal increase in temperature. Increasing the current of electrons causes a noticeable increase in temperature.

The pipes must be hollow for the current of water to flow. The wires are not solid and the free electrons flow freely nonetheless.

Water flows through pipes at rates like meters per second. Electrons drift through wires a rates like .00028 m/s (copper wire).

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