Ten coulombs of charge start from the negative terminal of a battery,flow through the battery and then leave the positive terminal through a wire,flow through a resistor and then return to the starting point on this closed circuit.In this complete process,the ten coulombs:
A) do positive work on the battery.
B) receive heat energy from the resistor.
C) have a net loss of potential energy.
D) have no net change in potential energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the charge flows from the negative terminal of the battery to the positive terminal, it gains potential energy. As it flows through the resistor, it loses potential energy and this energy is dissipated as heat energy. However, when the charge flows back to the starting point of the circuit, it returns to its initial potential energy level. Therefore, the net change in potential energy is zero, and the correct answer is D.

Ten Coulombs of Charge Start from the Negative Terminal of a Battery,flow