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Re: Voltaic Pile of Confusion



I use the following model of the function of an EMF:

1) It uses some "non electrostatic" energy source to maintain a charge
separation on its terminals which in turn generates an Electrostatic field
in all of space with a specified PD (across the EMF terminals) equal to
the EMF (in Volts = J/C).
This happens "because" the EMF exerts a non electrostatic force on the
carriers (assumed positive here) at its negative terminal and drives them
through the device and onto its positive terminal. This continues until
the resulting Electrostatic field of these separated charges balances the
driving force of the EMF.

2) In open circuit this results in a static situation.

3) If the EMF's terminals are connected with a conducting circuit, the
aforementioned Electrostatic field will produce a new static charge
distribution (on surfaces, conductivity boundaries, etc) in accordance
with the new conductivity constraints. The resulting Electrostatic field
inside the conductors is directed along the conducting path (this ignores
a small off-axial component due to the pinch effect - ignore this in intro
presentations).

4) This results in a non-static situation with a steady current flow,
which however is driven by the Electrostatic field of the static charge
distribution. IOW, the carriers (here taken to be positive) "fall down"
the potential hill produced by the static charge distribution.

4) A carrier at the bottom of this potential hill will have arrived at the
negative EMF terminal. The EMF will use its non-electrostatic energy
source to drive this carrier UP the potential hill (inside the EMF device)
against the Electrostatic field (which pervades all of space). The EMF
does this in order to perform its prime directive: maintain a charge
distribution so as to maintain the specified Electrostatic PD.

5) In sum, outside the EMF, the carriers are driven only by the
Electrostatic field (which exists everywhere, and even before the final
connection is closed). Inside the EMF device, the carriers are subject
both to the aforementioned Electrostatic field and the non electrostatic
"drive" of the EMF.

6) Apropos' to Tom's concern, I think this model is extended without
complication to multi-EMF situations.

Bob

Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net
http://www.velocity.net/~trebor