Answer to Question #211968 in Electricity and Magnetism for Anita

Question

By saying that the electrostatic field is conservative, we do not mean that (a) It is the gradient of a scalar potential. (b) Its circulation is identically zero. (c) Its curl is identically zero. (d) The work done in a closed path inside the field is zero. (e) The potential difference between any two points is zero.

Answer 1

The electrostatic field is conservative, which means The potential difference between any two points is zero.

Option e is correct.

Because the first branch has no resistance, the potential difference between the points is zero; therefore, no charge will flow between the two locations, and all charges will choose the second channel, according to V=IR.