Question

Rank in order the currents flowing in the three sections of a wire of varying circular cross section.

1) The current is the same in all three sections
2) The current is highest in the thickest section and lowest in the thinnest section
3) The current is highest in the thinnest section and lowest in the thickest section
4) The current is highest in the middle section and lowest in the other two sections

Answer 1

The correct answer is that the current is the same in all three sections of a wire with varying circular cross sections, due to the principle of charge conservation in a series circuit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to rank the currents flowing in the three sections of a wire with varying circular cross section. According to the principles of electric current, it is important to note that the current is the same at all points in a series circuit regardless of the cross-sectional areas of the wire. This is because electric current is the flow of electrical charge carriers, and for a series circuit, charge conservation implies that the quantity of charge that enters a section of the circuit in a given time must be the same as the quantity of charge leaving that section in the same time, to prevent accumulation or depletion of charge at any point.

Therefore, the answer to the student's question is option 1: The current is the same in all three sections of the wire, whether the sections are thin or thick.