[–] [deleted] 0 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago 

[Deleted]

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[–] BowlOfWeedies 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

Voltage doesn't 'flow'. You can think of current as a flow, and you can think of voltage as a sort of pressure of that flow.

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[–] Gringojones 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

If you think of electrons "sticking" together, you can compare it in a sense to the cohesive properties of water.

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[–] WickerMan 0 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago 

The similarities are just a metaphor to help students understand Ohm's Law.

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[–] immatureusername 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

The similarities could better be related to a hydraulic system. If you were to overlap a hydraulic schematic with a similar electrical diagram, you could find that they are almost identical in the functions of valves/ diodes/ solenoids/ switches/ pressure/ return/ etc. there are many similarities relatable to a hydraulic system and an electrical system. They are not the same. But when using one to learn another it becomes easier for explanation.

For instance, pressure and flow versus voltage and amperage. Unrestriced hose/line means you get max flow low pressure, restrict the line you get less flow and higher pressure. Same goes for electricity. You take voltage through a big wire and you drop it down into a smaller wire not rated to carry similar voltage and poof! Youve let the magic out.

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[–] WickerMan ago 

The similarities could better be related to a hydraulic system.

I'm pretty sure thats what OP meant when he said:

It's strange how closely the behavior of electricity resembles that of water.

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[–] Rellik88 1 point 2 points (+3|-1) ago 

Can we waterboard ISIS with electricity?

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[–] FederalReverse 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Does it count as animal abuse if they use electric eels?

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[–] WolvenWargod [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Oh God, electric eels up the ass. Might use that when the mad max days descend upon us

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[–] Acceletron 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

I can't explain it, but I learned most of my electrical knowledge based on this principle. I work with hydraulic and electrical systems all day. There is a mechanical water equivalent for just about every basic electric principle. Check valves for example function as hydraulic diodes.

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[–] Gringojones 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Regulated valves act as transistors.

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[–] TheBuddha 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

I'm not a physicist, but I have some grad school physics under my belt - but it's a bit far behind.

There are some superficial similarities, and the old analogies used for understanding current, voltage, and amperage. What, specifically, are you questioning?

I'll also go ahead and ping @the_cat, but he doesn't venture very far from v/science.

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[–] WolvenWargod [S] ago 

I suppose I'm wondering if there is anything shared beyond the superficial, as they both seem have the same "earth cycle," eg coming down in thunderstorms, as well as electrical and hydraulic systems having such close parallels. There is obvious force potential in each, and outside of these two examples, I can't think think of another medium which with said force can be harnessed so efficiently. Internal combustion comes close, but really just acts like a battery would for hydraulics

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[–] DeliciousOnions ago 

Other good candidates for this kind of systen would be steam/pneumatics/hydraulics. Thermodynamics and entropy/enthalpy studies would be something of interest to you, I think.

All of these systems share some fundamental properties, but I would just say those are the properties of a system made up of a zillion tiny particles that transfer force. I can see the similarities, but I don't think it indicates any profound deeper connection. A hydraulic system transfers force through molecules constrained into a hose, and so too does an electric system transfer voltage and electrons constrained into conductive wires, but that's about it.

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[–] CapinBoredface 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

They aren’t similar at all beyond explaining the basics. And you don’t need to be a physicist to explain that.

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[–] DeliciousOnions ago 

They both are made up of trillions of tiny particles that transfer force between each other.

For water, they're molecules and they transfer pressure. For electricity, they're electrons and they transfer voltage.

This really is about as far as the similarities end. There is no allegory for magnetic fields and flux in water systems, and there are other effects related to the fact that water molecules are slightly attracted to each other (surface tension) while electrons are repelled by each other (skin effect).

There's also more complicated shit involved in the fact that there are electric fields and there's no such thing as a water field, and while water can travel through a vacuum we almost always see electricity carried through other materials - which have their own effects on things.

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[–] ColaEuphoria ago 

Electrons flowing through a wire is simply easily comparable to water molecules flowing through a pipe. Thin and stuffed pipes yield higher resistance to flow and require a higher potential energy difference to flow through it faster.

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