Re: OT: volt and current (ALSA sound recording frustration)

[Ken Irving <fnkci@uaf.edu>]

On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 04:14:16PM -0600, lee wrote:
> On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 04:48:59PM -0500, Napoleon wrote:
> > lee wrote:
> >> On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 02:43:28PM -0500, Napoleon wrote:
> >>> lee wrote:
> >>>> Is it even possible to measure a mere potential?
> >>> Of course.  That's what voltage is.
> >>
> >> Hm, true, voltage is impossible without current flowing because of how
> >> voltage is defined. No current <--> no voltage, and voltage is
> >> something that doesn't exist. I never thought of it like that before.
> >
> > Incorrect.  Voltage is strictly an excess or shortage of electrons.  
> > Current flow is not necessary for voltage to exist.
> >
> > You really do need to take some electric theory courses.
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volt:
> 
> "The volt is defined as the potential difference across a conductor
> when a current of one ampere dissipates one watt of power."
> 
> Then the above definition is incorrect.

Is there something like a Godwin's Law for repeating the same argument
over and over in an email list?  Someone already noted that that statement
is defining what the unit of a volt is, not what voltage is.  A volt is
a widely accepted unit of voltage, it is not voltage.

Ken

I have a feeling of impending deja vu...

-- 
Ken Irving