In reply to Harry Veeder's message of Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:52:54 -0400: Hi, [snip] >The complete circle/loop/circuit is this: > >'negative' to 'negative' (with a 'positive' in between).
The "'positive' in between" is what makes the equations work out. I think you are having a problem because you expect the net EMF to integrate to zero (begin point = end point), which it would do if you take the "step" into account. Note that the EMF does not change monotonically around the complete loop. It does along the wire (assuming a constant resistance/length ratio), however there is at least one step when you hit the electrodes. (In the case of a battery perhaps more accurately one step at each electrode). Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/Project.html
