Electrician's Licensing Practice Exam

Is it true that in electrical work, electrons are always balanced between two points?

1. True

2. False

3. Sometimes

4. Only in DC circuits

The correct answer is: False

In electrical work, it is not true that electrons are always balanced between two points. The concept of charge balance primarily refers to the equilibrium of positive and negative charges in a closed system. In most cases, especially when a load is connected to a power source, there is an imbalance of electrons, leading to current flow. When a circuit is energized, electrons move from areas of higher potential (negative side) to areas of lower potential (positive side), creating an electric current. This movement indicates that there is a difference in charge between the two points; therefore, they cannot be considered to be balanced. Furthermore, in AC (alternating current) circuits, the direction of electron flow continuously changes, further supporting the idea that electrons are not statically balanced at any given moment. Thus, the statement is not accurate in the context of electrical work.