• Product
  • Suppliers
  • Manufacturers
  • Solutions
  • Free tools
  • Knowledges
  • Experts
  • Communities
Search


What are the validations of Ohm’s law?

Encyclopedia
Field: Encyclopedia
0
China

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electrical engineering and physics that describes the relationship between the current flowing through a conductor, the voltage across the conductor, and the resistance of the conductor. The law is expressed mathematically as:

V=I×R

  • V is the voltage across the conductor (measured in volts, V),

  • I is the current flowing through the conductor (measured in amperes, A),

  • R is the resistance of the conductor (measured in ohms, Ω).

While Ohm's Law is widely accepted and used, there are certain conditions under which its application may be limited or invalid. Here are the main validations and limitations of Ohm's Law:

Validations and Conditions Where Ohm's Law Applies

  • Linear Resistive Elements:Ohm's Law applies to materials that exhibit linear behavior, meaning their resistance remains constant over a wide range of operating conditions. Examples include metals like copper and aluminum.

  • Constant Temperature:The law holds true if the temperature of the conductor remains relatively constant. Changes in temperature can affect the resistance of a material, thus altering the relationship between voltage and current.

  • Ideal Conditions:Under ideal conditions where there are no external influences such as magnetic fields or radiation, Ohm's Law provides accurate predictions.

Limitations and Conditions Where Ohm's Law Does Not Apply

  • Non-linear Materials:Materials that exhibit non-linear behavior, such as semiconductors, do not follow Ohm's Law because their resistance changes with the applied voltage or current. For example, diodes have a very different relationship between voltage and current than what Ohm's Law would predict.

  • Gas Discharges:In gas discharges, such as those found in neon lamps or fluorescent tubes, the current does not increase linearly with voltage due to ionization processes within the gas.

  • Superconductors:Superconductors have zero resistance at very low temperatures and thus do not obey Ohm's Law since there is no voltage drop for any current value.

  • Temperature Variations:Significant changes in temperature can alter the resistance of a material, making Ohm's Law less applicable unless corrected for temperature effects.

  • High Frequency:At high frequencies, the presence of capacitive or inductive reactance can cause deviations from the simple relationship described by Ohm's Law.

  • Chemical Reactions:In electrochemical cells, the current-voltage relationship is not always linear due to the chemical reactions involved.

Summary

Ohm's Law is a useful tool for analyzing the behavior of simple electrical circuits under certain conditions. It works well for linear resistive elements under stable temperatures and without significant external influences. 

However, it has limitations when dealing with non-linear materials, gas discharges, superconductors, temperature variations, high-frequency effects, and electrochemical processes. Understanding these limitations is crucial for applying Ohm's Law correctly and interpreting experimental results accurately.

Give a tip and encourage the author!

Recommended

Why Must a Transformer Core Be Grounded at Only One Point? Isn't Multi-Point Grounding More Reliable?
Why Does the Transformer Core Need to Be Grounded?During operation, the transformer core, along with the metal structures, parts, and components that fix the core and windings, are all situated in a strong electric field. Under the influence of this electric field, they acquire a relatively high potential with respect to ground. If the core is not grounded, a potential difference will exist between the core and the grounded clamping structures and tank, which may lead to intermittent discharge.I
01/29/2026
Understanding Transformer Neutral Grounding
I. What is a Neutral Point?In transformers and generators, the neutral point is a specific point in the winding where the absolute voltage between this point and each external terminal is equal. In the diagram below, pointOrepresents the neutral point.II. Why Does the Neutral Point Need Grounding?The electrical connection method between the neutral point and earth in a three-phase AC power system is called theneutral grounding method. This grounding method directly affects:The safety, reliabilit
01/29/2026
Voltage Imbalance: Ground Fault, Open Line, or Resonance?
Single-phase grounding, line break (open-phase), and resonance can all cause three-phase voltage unbalance. Correctly distinguishing among them is essential for rapid troubleshooting.Single-Phase GroundingAlthough single-phase grounding causes three-phase voltage unbalance, the line-to-line voltage magnitude remains unchanged. It can be classified into two types: metallic grounding and non-metallic grounding. Inmetallic grounding, the faulted phase voltage drops to zero, while the other two phas
11/08/2025
Composition and Working Principle of Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems
Composition and Working Principle of Photovoltaic (PV) Power Generation SystemsA photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is primarily composed of PV modules, a controller, an inverter, batteries, and other accessories (batteries are not required for grid-connected systems). Based on whether it relies on the public power grid, PV systems are divided into off-grid and grid-connected types. Off-grid systems operate independently without relying on the utility grid. They are equipped with energy-s
10/09/2025
Send inquiry
+86
Click to upload file
Download
Get the IEE Business Application
Use the IEE-Business app to find equipment, obtain solutions, connect with experts, and participate in industry collaboration anytime, anywhere—fully supporting the development of your power projects and business.