Question

In an electric circuit, which of the following quantities is analogous to temperature?
A) Potential
B) Resistance
C) Current
D) Charge

Answer 1

Hint: Before proceeding with a solution, we need to know about the temperature. Temperature is a physical quantity that tells us how hot and cold a body is. It is the denomination of thermal energy, which is the source of the presence of heat, a flow of energy when a body is in contact with another colder body.

Complete solution:
As temperature decides the direction of flow of heat when two bodies at different temperatures are kept in contact, similarly electric potential decides the direction of flow of electric charge when two points at different potential are connected.
Heat flows from a body at a higher temperature to a body at a comparatively lower temperature. Similarly, electric charge or current flows from a body at the higher electric potential to a body at a lower electric potential. In other words, we can say that a temperature difference is needed for heat flow in the same way that a potential difference is needed for charge flow.
Hence we can say that in an electric circuit, the potential is analogous to temperature.

Therefore option (A) is the correct answer.

Note: Let’s have a look as to why the other options are not suitable for the given question. Resistance is a measure of the protest current flow in a circuit. Electric charge is the property of a particle or substance that allows it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge, and hence exists due to flow of charges through a region.