What direction does electric current flow in when the voltage drop is negative?

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP











up vote
4
down vote

favorite
1












We were given the below diagram, and we needed to determine whether the unknown component is supplying energy into the system.



$hspace200px$



I thought the unknown component was supplying energy since charge is flowing to a higher potential, but my teacher said it was the other way around.



What does the $`` -2 , mathrmV "$ label in the diagram mean? Is it:



  1. the difference from $left(+right)$ to $left(-right);$ or


  2. the difference from $left(-right)$ to $left(+right) ?$


I'm sure there is a convention to this sort of stuff but I'm not aware of it yet.







share|cite|improve this question






















  • I have updated my answer.
    – Farcher
    Aug 28 at 11:47














up vote
4
down vote

favorite
1












We were given the below diagram, and we needed to determine whether the unknown component is supplying energy into the system.



$hspace200px$



I thought the unknown component was supplying energy since charge is flowing to a higher potential, but my teacher said it was the other way around.



What does the $`` -2 , mathrmV "$ label in the diagram mean? Is it:



  1. the difference from $left(+right)$ to $left(-right);$ or


  2. the difference from $left(-right)$ to $left(+right) ?$


I'm sure there is a convention to this sort of stuff but I'm not aware of it yet.







share|cite|improve this question






















  • I have updated my answer.
    – Farcher
    Aug 28 at 11:47












up vote
4
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
4
down vote

favorite
1






1





We were given the below diagram, and we needed to determine whether the unknown component is supplying energy into the system.



$hspace200px$



I thought the unknown component was supplying energy since charge is flowing to a higher potential, but my teacher said it was the other way around.



What does the $`` -2 , mathrmV "$ label in the diagram mean? Is it:



  1. the difference from $left(+right)$ to $left(-right);$ or


  2. the difference from $left(-right)$ to $left(+right) ?$


I'm sure there is a convention to this sort of stuff but I'm not aware of it yet.







share|cite|improve this question














We were given the below diagram, and we needed to determine whether the unknown component is supplying energy into the system.



$hspace200px$



I thought the unknown component was supplying energy since charge is flowing to a higher potential, but my teacher said it was the other way around.



What does the $`` -2 , mathrmV "$ label in the diagram mean? Is it:



  1. the difference from $left(+right)$ to $left(-right);$ or


  2. the difference from $left(-right)$ to $left(+right) ?$


I'm sure there is a convention to this sort of stuff but I'm not aware of it yet.









share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Aug 28 at 6:28









Nat

3,37931731




3,37931731










asked Aug 27 at 21:12









Nick Yarn

436




436











  • I have updated my answer.
    – Farcher
    Aug 28 at 11:47
















  • I have updated my answer.
    – Farcher
    Aug 28 at 11:47















I have updated my answer.
– Farcher
Aug 28 at 11:47




I have updated my answer.
– Farcher
Aug 28 at 11:47










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
4
down vote



accepted










It looks like the passive sign convention is being used.



One terminal of a circuit component is labelled $(+)$ and the other terminal is labelled $(-)$.

The current direction is chosen such that it enters the $(+)$ terminal as shown in the diagram below.



enter image description here



The potential of the terminal labelled $(+)$ relative to the potential of the terminal labelled $(-)$ is equal to the stated voltage which is $v$ in my diagram and $-2,rm V$ in your diagram.

In your diagram the terminal labelled $(+)$ has a potential of $-2,rm V$ relative to the terminal labelled $(-)$ ie the terminal labelled $(-)$ is at a higher potential than the terminal labelled $(+)$ .



In your diagram with the current shown to be $-3,rm A$ that means that the current is flowing out of the terminal labelled $(+)$.



Having labelled the terminals and the current direction then the power is $vi$.



If the product $vi$ is positive then electrical power is being absorbed by the component ie the component is a sink.



If the product $vi$ is negative then electrical power is being generated by the circuit component, ie the component is a source.



In your example $vi=(-2)times (-3) =+6,rm W$ ie the circuit component is absorbing $6,rm W$ of electrical power eg the circuit component could be a resistance of resistance $frac 23,Omega$ which is converting electrical energy to heat at a rate of $6,rm W$.



Update



To show what happens in a complete circuit I have added a cell of emf $2,rm V$ in series with the component and included some labels related to the cell.

I have also labelled two nodes $A$ and $B$.



enter image description here



The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $2,rm V$ labels relating to the cell state that the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$.



The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $-2,rm V$ labels relating to the component state that the potential of node $A$ is less than the potential of node $B$ by $2,rm V$ ie the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$, which is the same as for the cell labels.



We can apply KIrchhoff's voltage law for the loop starting at node $B$ and going clockwise. $(+2) + (-2)=0$



The current direction and size for the cell are a consequence of applying Kirchhoff's current law.



For the cell the power is $(+2)times (-3) = -6 ,rm W$.

The cell is a source of electrical energy $-6,rm W$ at the same rate as the component is a sink of electric energy $+6,rm W$.




One way to learn more about this is to enroll on the edX Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis course and there is bonus of an excellent textbook which is associated with the course.






share|cite|improve this answer





























    up vote
    1
    down vote













    in these kind of problems first always try to find which component is acting as source (energy supplier) and which is acting as sink (energy consumer)and then,the rest follows



    absorb negative signs of voltage by interchanging polarities of upper and lower terminals respectively and that of the current by changing it's direction



    now draw modified diagram such that current $+3A$ will leave $+ve$ terminal of battery making it act like source i.e, it supplies/delivers energy/ to the unknown component which makes unknown component as sink i.e, it dissipates/absorbs energy.






    share|cite|improve this answer





























      up vote
      0
      down vote














      I just wanted to know what the -2v actually means.




      Operationally, it means that if you place the red (positive) lead of your voltmeter on the $+$ labelled terminal and the black (negative or reference lead) of your voltmeter on the other, the voltmeter will read $-2,mathrmV$.



      This tells you that the $-$ labelled terminal is more positive than the $+$ labelled terminal.



      In anticipation of a follow-up question, the $-3,mathrmA$ means that if you place an ammeter in series with the $+$ labelled terminal of the circuit element such that the red lead is 'to the left', the ammeter will read $-3,mathrmA$.



      This tells you that the current is directed directed out of the $+$ labelled terminal (in the opposite direction of the arrow).



      As others have pointed out, with the chosen reference polarity and direction for the voltage and current respectively (passive sign convention), the power associated with the circuit element is



      $$P = -2,mathrmV cdot -3,mathrmA = 6,mathrmW$$



      Since the power is positive, power is delivered to the circuit element from the external circuit.






      share|cite|improve this answer





























        up vote
        0
        down vote













        I would have thought:



        $$
        beginalign
        P &= V cdot I \[5px]
        P &= -fracmathrmdUmathrmdt
        endalign \ , \
        Delta U = -intPcdot mathrmdt = - intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt
        $$



        $ Vcdot I > 0$ since the current is entering in the device through the positive reference of the voltage and I supposed a passive sign convention, so$$
        -intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt < 0
        qquad textand qquad
        Delta U < 0
        , ,
        $$so: it absorbs energy.



        I have also done it by studying the system by simplifying it in this way, adjusting the signs:






        About Convention



        The number which represents the voltage is the number attached to the "+" symbol on the drawing. It means that the voltage written is referred to the positive pin of the bipole. The difference between the pin + and the pin - is the written one near the symbol as: $ V(+) - V(-) = $ written number, in this case $V(+) - V(-) = -2 , mathrmV.$ The current is inverted in verse if changed in sign.



        The passive sign convention is used, but someone can use a different one.



        (Please feel free to comment if there are mistakes)






        share|cite|improve this answer






















          Your Answer




          StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
          return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
          StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
          StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
          );
          );
          , "mathjax-editing");

          StackExchange.ready(function()
          var channelOptions =
          tags: "".split(" "),
          id: "151"
          ;
          initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

          StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
          // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
          if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
          StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
          createEditor();
          );

          else
          createEditor();

          );

          function createEditor()
          StackExchange.prepareEditor(
          heartbeatType: 'answer',
          convertImagesToLinks: false,
          noModals: false,
          showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
          reputationToPostImages: null,
          bindNavPrevention: true,
          postfix: "",
          noCode: true, onDemand: true,
          discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
          ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
          );



          );













           

          draft saved


          draft discarded


















          StackExchange.ready(
          function ()
          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fphysics.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f425194%2fwhat-direction-does-electric-current-flow-in-when-the-voltage-drop-is-negative%23new-answer', 'question_page');

          );

          Post as a guest






























          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes








          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes








          up vote
          4
          down vote



          accepted










          It looks like the passive sign convention is being used.



          One terminal of a circuit component is labelled $(+)$ and the other terminal is labelled $(-)$.

          The current direction is chosen such that it enters the $(+)$ terminal as shown in the diagram below.



          enter image description here



          The potential of the terminal labelled $(+)$ relative to the potential of the terminal labelled $(-)$ is equal to the stated voltage which is $v$ in my diagram and $-2,rm V$ in your diagram.

          In your diagram the terminal labelled $(+)$ has a potential of $-2,rm V$ relative to the terminal labelled $(-)$ ie the terminal labelled $(-)$ is at a higher potential than the terminal labelled $(+)$ .



          In your diagram with the current shown to be $-3,rm A$ that means that the current is flowing out of the terminal labelled $(+)$.



          Having labelled the terminals and the current direction then the power is $vi$.



          If the product $vi$ is positive then electrical power is being absorbed by the component ie the component is a sink.



          If the product $vi$ is negative then electrical power is being generated by the circuit component, ie the component is a source.



          In your example $vi=(-2)times (-3) =+6,rm W$ ie the circuit component is absorbing $6,rm W$ of electrical power eg the circuit component could be a resistance of resistance $frac 23,Omega$ which is converting electrical energy to heat at a rate of $6,rm W$.



          Update



          To show what happens in a complete circuit I have added a cell of emf $2,rm V$ in series with the component and included some labels related to the cell.

          I have also labelled two nodes $A$ and $B$.



          enter image description here



          The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $2,rm V$ labels relating to the cell state that the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$.



          The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $-2,rm V$ labels relating to the component state that the potential of node $A$ is less than the potential of node $B$ by $2,rm V$ ie the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$, which is the same as for the cell labels.



          We can apply KIrchhoff's voltage law for the loop starting at node $B$ and going clockwise. $(+2) + (-2)=0$



          The current direction and size for the cell are a consequence of applying Kirchhoff's current law.



          For the cell the power is $(+2)times (-3) = -6 ,rm W$.

          The cell is a source of electrical energy $-6,rm W$ at the same rate as the component is a sink of electric energy $+6,rm W$.




          One way to learn more about this is to enroll on the edX Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis course and there is bonus of an excellent textbook which is associated with the course.






          share|cite|improve this answer


























            up vote
            4
            down vote



            accepted










            It looks like the passive sign convention is being used.



            One terminal of a circuit component is labelled $(+)$ and the other terminal is labelled $(-)$.

            The current direction is chosen such that it enters the $(+)$ terminal as shown in the diagram below.



            enter image description here



            The potential of the terminal labelled $(+)$ relative to the potential of the terminal labelled $(-)$ is equal to the stated voltage which is $v$ in my diagram and $-2,rm V$ in your diagram.

            In your diagram the terminal labelled $(+)$ has a potential of $-2,rm V$ relative to the terminal labelled $(-)$ ie the terminal labelled $(-)$ is at a higher potential than the terminal labelled $(+)$ .



            In your diagram with the current shown to be $-3,rm A$ that means that the current is flowing out of the terminal labelled $(+)$.



            Having labelled the terminals and the current direction then the power is $vi$.



            If the product $vi$ is positive then electrical power is being absorbed by the component ie the component is a sink.



            If the product $vi$ is negative then electrical power is being generated by the circuit component, ie the component is a source.



            In your example $vi=(-2)times (-3) =+6,rm W$ ie the circuit component is absorbing $6,rm W$ of electrical power eg the circuit component could be a resistance of resistance $frac 23,Omega$ which is converting electrical energy to heat at a rate of $6,rm W$.



            Update



            To show what happens in a complete circuit I have added a cell of emf $2,rm V$ in series with the component and included some labels related to the cell.

            I have also labelled two nodes $A$ and $B$.



            enter image description here



            The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $2,rm V$ labels relating to the cell state that the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$.



            The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $-2,rm V$ labels relating to the component state that the potential of node $A$ is less than the potential of node $B$ by $2,rm V$ ie the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$, which is the same as for the cell labels.



            We can apply KIrchhoff's voltage law for the loop starting at node $B$ and going clockwise. $(+2) + (-2)=0$



            The current direction and size for the cell are a consequence of applying Kirchhoff's current law.



            For the cell the power is $(+2)times (-3) = -6 ,rm W$.

            The cell is a source of electrical energy $-6,rm W$ at the same rate as the component is a sink of electric energy $+6,rm W$.




            One way to learn more about this is to enroll on the edX Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis course and there is bonus of an excellent textbook which is associated with the course.






            share|cite|improve this answer
























              up vote
              4
              down vote



              accepted







              up vote
              4
              down vote



              accepted






              It looks like the passive sign convention is being used.



              One terminal of a circuit component is labelled $(+)$ and the other terminal is labelled $(-)$.

              The current direction is chosen such that it enters the $(+)$ terminal as shown in the diagram below.



              enter image description here



              The potential of the terminal labelled $(+)$ relative to the potential of the terminal labelled $(-)$ is equal to the stated voltage which is $v$ in my diagram and $-2,rm V$ in your diagram.

              In your diagram the terminal labelled $(+)$ has a potential of $-2,rm V$ relative to the terminal labelled $(-)$ ie the terminal labelled $(-)$ is at a higher potential than the terminal labelled $(+)$ .



              In your diagram with the current shown to be $-3,rm A$ that means that the current is flowing out of the terminal labelled $(+)$.



              Having labelled the terminals and the current direction then the power is $vi$.



              If the product $vi$ is positive then electrical power is being absorbed by the component ie the component is a sink.



              If the product $vi$ is negative then electrical power is being generated by the circuit component, ie the component is a source.



              In your example $vi=(-2)times (-3) =+6,rm W$ ie the circuit component is absorbing $6,rm W$ of electrical power eg the circuit component could be a resistance of resistance $frac 23,Omega$ which is converting electrical energy to heat at a rate of $6,rm W$.



              Update



              To show what happens in a complete circuit I have added a cell of emf $2,rm V$ in series with the component and included some labels related to the cell.

              I have also labelled two nodes $A$ and $B$.



              enter image description here



              The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $2,rm V$ labels relating to the cell state that the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$.



              The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $-2,rm V$ labels relating to the component state that the potential of node $A$ is less than the potential of node $B$ by $2,rm V$ ie the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$, which is the same as for the cell labels.



              We can apply KIrchhoff's voltage law for the loop starting at node $B$ and going clockwise. $(+2) + (-2)=0$



              The current direction and size for the cell are a consequence of applying Kirchhoff's current law.



              For the cell the power is $(+2)times (-3) = -6 ,rm W$.

              The cell is a source of electrical energy $-6,rm W$ at the same rate as the component is a sink of electric energy $+6,rm W$.




              One way to learn more about this is to enroll on the edX Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis course and there is bonus of an excellent textbook which is associated with the course.






              share|cite|improve this answer














              It looks like the passive sign convention is being used.



              One terminal of a circuit component is labelled $(+)$ and the other terminal is labelled $(-)$.

              The current direction is chosen such that it enters the $(+)$ terminal as shown in the diagram below.



              enter image description here



              The potential of the terminal labelled $(+)$ relative to the potential of the terminal labelled $(-)$ is equal to the stated voltage which is $v$ in my diagram and $-2,rm V$ in your diagram.

              In your diagram the terminal labelled $(+)$ has a potential of $-2,rm V$ relative to the terminal labelled $(-)$ ie the terminal labelled $(-)$ is at a higher potential than the terminal labelled $(+)$ .



              In your diagram with the current shown to be $-3,rm A$ that means that the current is flowing out of the terminal labelled $(+)$.



              Having labelled the terminals and the current direction then the power is $vi$.



              If the product $vi$ is positive then electrical power is being absorbed by the component ie the component is a sink.



              If the product $vi$ is negative then electrical power is being generated by the circuit component, ie the component is a source.



              In your example $vi=(-2)times (-3) =+6,rm W$ ie the circuit component is absorbing $6,rm W$ of electrical power eg the circuit component could be a resistance of resistance $frac 23,Omega$ which is converting electrical energy to heat at a rate of $6,rm W$.



              Update



              To show what happens in a complete circuit I have added a cell of emf $2,rm V$ in series with the component and included some labels related to the cell.

              I have also labelled two nodes $A$ and $B$.



              enter image description here



              The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $2,rm V$ labels relating to the cell state that the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$.



              The $(+)$, $(-)$ and $-2,rm V$ labels relating to the component state that the potential of node $A$ is less than the potential of node $B$ by $2,rm V$ ie the potential of node $B$ is greater than the potential of node $A$ by $2,rm V$, which is the same as for the cell labels.



              We can apply KIrchhoff's voltage law for the loop starting at node $B$ and going clockwise. $(+2) + (-2)=0$



              The current direction and size for the cell are a consequence of applying Kirchhoff's current law.



              For the cell the power is $(+2)times (-3) = -6 ,rm W$.

              The cell is a source of electrical energy $-6,rm W$ at the same rate as the component is a sink of electric energy $+6,rm W$.




              One way to learn more about this is to enroll on the edX Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis course and there is bonus of an excellent textbook which is associated with the course.







              share|cite|improve this answer














              share|cite|improve this answer



              share|cite|improve this answer








              edited Aug 28 at 12:15

























              answered Aug 27 at 22:44









              Farcher

              44.2k33388




              44.2k33388




















                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote













                  in these kind of problems first always try to find which component is acting as source (energy supplier) and which is acting as sink (energy consumer)and then,the rest follows



                  absorb negative signs of voltage by interchanging polarities of upper and lower terminals respectively and that of the current by changing it's direction



                  now draw modified diagram such that current $+3A$ will leave $+ve$ terminal of battery making it act like source i.e, it supplies/delivers energy/ to the unknown component which makes unknown component as sink i.e, it dissipates/absorbs energy.






                  share|cite|improve this answer


























                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote













                    in these kind of problems first always try to find which component is acting as source (energy supplier) and which is acting as sink (energy consumer)and then,the rest follows



                    absorb negative signs of voltage by interchanging polarities of upper and lower terminals respectively and that of the current by changing it's direction



                    now draw modified diagram such that current $+3A$ will leave $+ve$ terminal of battery making it act like source i.e, it supplies/delivers energy/ to the unknown component which makes unknown component as sink i.e, it dissipates/absorbs energy.






                    share|cite|improve this answer
























                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote









                      in these kind of problems first always try to find which component is acting as source (energy supplier) and which is acting as sink (energy consumer)and then,the rest follows



                      absorb negative signs of voltage by interchanging polarities of upper and lower terminals respectively and that of the current by changing it's direction



                      now draw modified diagram such that current $+3A$ will leave $+ve$ terminal of battery making it act like source i.e, it supplies/delivers energy/ to the unknown component which makes unknown component as sink i.e, it dissipates/absorbs energy.






                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      in these kind of problems first always try to find which component is acting as source (energy supplier) and which is acting as sink (energy consumer)and then,the rest follows



                      absorb negative signs of voltage by interchanging polarities of upper and lower terminals respectively and that of the current by changing it's direction



                      now draw modified diagram such that current $+3A$ will leave $+ve$ terminal of battery making it act like source i.e, it supplies/delivers energy/ to the unknown component which makes unknown component as sink i.e, it dissipates/absorbs energy.







                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      share|cite|improve this answer



                      share|cite|improve this answer








                      edited Aug 27 at 22:37

























                      answered Aug 27 at 22:31









                      veeresh pandey

                      2418




                      2418




















                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote














                          I just wanted to know what the -2v actually means.




                          Operationally, it means that if you place the red (positive) lead of your voltmeter on the $+$ labelled terminal and the black (negative or reference lead) of your voltmeter on the other, the voltmeter will read $-2,mathrmV$.



                          This tells you that the $-$ labelled terminal is more positive than the $+$ labelled terminal.



                          In anticipation of a follow-up question, the $-3,mathrmA$ means that if you place an ammeter in series with the $+$ labelled terminal of the circuit element such that the red lead is 'to the left', the ammeter will read $-3,mathrmA$.



                          This tells you that the current is directed directed out of the $+$ labelled terminal (in the opposite direction of the arrow).



                          As others have pointed out, with the chosen reference polarity and direction for the voltage and current respectively (passive sign convention), the power associated with the circuit element is



                          $$P = -2,mathrmV cdot -3,mathrmA = 6,mathrmW$$



                          Since the power is positive, power is delivered to the circuit element from the external circuit.






                          share|cite|improve this answer


























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote














                            I just wanted to know what the -2v actually means.




                            Operationally, it means that if you place the red (positive) lead of your voltmeter on the $+$ labelled terminal and the black (negative or reference lead) of your voltmeter on the other, the voltmeter will read $-2,mathrmV$.



                            This tells you that the $-$ labelled terminal is more positive than the $+$ labelled terminal.



                            In anticipation of a follow-up question, the $-3,mathrmA$ means that if you place an ammeter in series with the $+$ labelled terminal of the circuit element such that the red lead is 'to the left', the ammeter will read $-3,mathrmA$.



                            This tells you that the current is directed directed out of the $+$ labelled terminal (in the opposite direction of the arrow).



                            As others have pointed out, with the chosen reference polarity and direction for the voltage and current respectively (passive sign convention), the power associated with the circuit element is



                            $$P = -2,mathrmV cdot -3,mathrmA = 6,mathrmW$$



                            Since the power is positive, power is delivered to the circuit element from the external circuit.






                            share|cite|improve this answer
























                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote










                              I just wanted to know what the -2v actually means.




                              Operationally, it means that if you place the red (positive) lead of your voltmeter on the $+$ labelled terminal and the black (negative or reference lead) of your voltmeter on the other, the voltmeter will read $-2,mathrmV$.



                              This tells you that the $-$ labelled terminal is more positive than the $+$ labelled terminal.



                              In anticipation of a follow-up question, the $-3,mathrmA$ means that if you place an ammeter in series with the $+$ labelled terminal of the circuit element such that the red lead is 'to the left', the ammeter will read $-3,mathrmA$.



                              This tells you that the current is directed directed out of the $+$ labelled terminal (in the opposite direction of the arrow).



                              As others have pointed out, with the chosen reference polarity and direction for the voltage and current respectively (passive sign convention), the power associated with the circuit element is



                              $$P = -2,mathrmV cdot -3,mathrmA = 6,mathrmW$$



                              Since the power is positive, power is delivered to the circuit element from the external circuit.






                              share|cite|improve this answer















                              I just wanted to know what the -2v actually means.




                              Operationally, it means that if you place the red (positive) lead of your voltmeter on the $+$ labelled terminal and the black (negative or reference lead) of your voltmeter on the other, the voltmeter will read $-2,mathrmV$.



                              This tells you that the $-$ labelled terminal is more positive than the $+$ labelled terminal.



                              In anticipation of a follow-up question, the $-3,mathrmA$ means that if you place an ammeter in series with the $+$ labelled terminal of the circuit element such that the red lead is 'to the left', the ammeter will read $-3,mathrmA$.



                              This tells you that the current is directed directed out of the $+$ labelled terminal (in the opposite direction of the arrow).



                              As others have pointed out, with the chosen reference polarity and direction for the voltage and current respectively (passive sign convention), the power associated with the circuit element is



                              $$P = -2,mathrmV cdot -3,mathrmA = 6,mathrmW$$



                              Since the power is positive, power is delivered to the circuit element from the external circuit.







                              share|cite|improve this answer














                              share|cite|improve this answer



                              share|cite|improve this answer








                              edited Aug 28 at 0:06

























                              answered Aug 28 at 0:01









                              Alfred Centauri

                              45.1k343134




                              45.1k343134




















                                  up vote
                                  0
                                  down vote













                                  I would have thought:



                                  $$
                                  beginalign
                                  P &= V cdot I \[5px]
                                  P &= -fracmathrmdUmathrmdt
                                  endalign \ , \
                                  Delta U = -intPcdot mathrmdt = - intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt
                                  $$



                                  $ Vcdot I > 0$ since the current is entering in the device through the positive reference of the voltage and I supposed a passive sign convention, so$$
                                  -intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt < 0
                                  qquad textand qquad
                                  Delta U < 0
                                  , ,
                                  $$so: it absorbs energy.



                                  I have also done it by studying the system by simplifying it in this way, adjusting the signs:






                                  About Convention



                                  The number which represents the voltage is the number attached to the "+" symbol on the drawing. It means that the voltage written is referred to the positive pin of the bipole. The difference between the pin + and the pin - is the written one near the symbol as: $ V(+) - V(-) = $ written number, in this case $V(+) - V(-) = -2 , mathrmV.$ The current is inverted in verse if changed in sign.



                                  The passive sign convention is used, but someone can use a different one.



                                  (Please feel free to comment if there are mistakes)






                                  share|cite|improve this answer


























                                    up vote
                                    0
                                    down vote













                                    I would have thought:



                                    $$
                                    beginalign
                                    P &= V cdot I \[5px]
                                    P &= -fracmathrmdUmathrmdt
                                    endalign \ , \
                                    Delta U = -intPcdot mathrmdt = - intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt
                                    $$



                                    $ Vcdot I > 0$ since the current is entering in the device through the positive reference of the voltage and I supposed a passive sign convention, so$$
                                    -intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt < 0
                                    qquad textand qquad
                                    Delta U < 0
                                    , ,
                                    $$so: it absorbs energy.



                                    I have also done it by studying the system by simplifying it in this way, adjusting the signs:






                                    About Convention



                                    The number which represents the voltage is the number attached to the "+" symbol on the drawing. It means that the voltage written is referred to the positive pin of the bipole. The difference between the pin + and the pin - is the written one near the symbol as: $ V(+) - V(-) = $ written number, in this case $V(+) - V(-) = -2 , mathrmV.$ The current is inverted in verse if changed in sign.



                                    The passive sign convention is used, but someone can use a different one.



                                    (Please feel free to comment if there are mistakes)






                                    share|cite|improve this answer
























                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote










                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote









                                      I would have thought:



                                      $$
                                      beginalign
                                      P &= V cdot I \[5px]
                                      P &= -fracmathrmdUmathrmdt
                                      endalign \ , \
                                      Delta U = -intPcdot mathrmdt = - intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt
                                      $$



                                      $ Vcdot I > 0$ since the current is entering in the device through the positive reference of the voltage and I supposed a passive sign convention, so$$
                                      -intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt < 0
                                      qquad textand qquad
                                      Delta U < 0
                                      , ,
                                      $$so: it absorbs energy.



                                      I have also done it by studying the system by simplifying it in this way, adjusting the signs:






                                      About Convention



                                      The number which represents the voltage is the number attached to the "+" symbol on the drawing. It means that the voltage written is referred to the positive pin of the bipole. The difference between the pin + and the pin - is the written one near the symbol as: $ V(+) - V(-) = $ written number, in this case $V(+) - V(-) = -2 , mathrmV.$ The current is inverted in verse if changed in sign.



                                      The passive sign convention is used, but someone can use a different one.



                                      (Please feel free to comment if there are mistakes)






                                      share|cite|improve this answer














                                      I would have thought:



                                      $$
                                      beginalign
                                      P &= V cdot I \[5px]
                                      P &= -fracmathrmdUmathrmdt
                                      endalign \ , \
                                      Delta U = -intPcdot mathrmdt = - intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt
                                      $$



                                      $ Vcdot I > 0$ since the current is entering in the device through the positive reference of the voltage and I supposed a passive sign convention, so$$
                                      -intVcdot Icdot mathrmdt < 0
                                      qquad textand qquad
                                      Delta U < 0
                                      , ,
                                      $$so: it absorbs energy.



                                      I have also done it by studying the system by simplifying it in this way, adjusting the signs:






                                      About Convention



                                      The number which represents the voltage is the number attached to the "+" symbol on the drawing. It means that the voltage written is referred to the positive pin of the bipole. The difference between the pin + and the pin - is the written one near the symbol as: $ V(+) - V(-) = $ written number, in this case $V(+) - V(-) = -2 , mathrmV.$ The current is inverted in verse if changed in sign.



                                      The passive sign convention is used, but someone can use a different one.



                                      (Please feel free to comment if there are mistakes)







                                      share|cite|improve this answer














                                      share|cite|improve this answer



                                      share|cite|improve this answer








                                      edited Aug 28 at 6:21









                                      Nat

                                      3,37931731




                                      3,37931731










                                      answered Aug 27 at 21:40









                                      Costantino

                                      11312




                                      11312



























                                           

                                          draft saved


                                          draft discarded















































                                           


                                          draft saved


                                          draft discarded














                                          StackExchange.ready(
                                          function ()
                                          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fphysics.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f425194%2fwhat-direction-does-electric-current-flow-in-when-the-voltage-drop-is-negative%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                                          );

                                          Post as a guest













































































                                          Comments

                                          Popular posts from this blog

                                          What does second last employer means? [closed]

                                          List of Gilmore Girls characters

                                          Confectionery