Is voltage just moving the electrons in a conductor or introducing new electrons from the source?

Bwibbs86

Joined Sep 25, 2015
2
It maybe an obvious answer, but as I understand the potential energy from the voltage source in a circuit is responsible for introducing electron flow(assuming a closed circuit), but does the voltage source itself introduce new electrons in the conductor or just move the existing electrons that are present in the conductor?

Thanks,
Elara
The voltage source provides the force that moves electrons. The electrons move from negative to positive, otherwise known as electron flow.
 

profbuxton

Joined Feb 21, 2014
421
A voltage is generated by the disassociation of the molecules in an electrolyte in a battery. The electrolyte forms ions by breaking up the atoms in the electrolyte so there are separated negative and positive charges. These charges tend to collect at the electrodes(don't know the exact mechanism) so then we have difference of "voltage" at the terminals. When we connect a circuit across the terminals The "voltage" will force the charges to balance via the circuit(electron flow or whatever you want in a direction of your choice).
In a generator a moving magnetic field forces electrons(or whatever) to flow in a particular direction. This creates a "voltage" difference across the terminals to which we attach a "load" and then current can flow through it(resistance dependent)
 
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