# Voltage and Electric Field in a Circuit

I have a doubt regarding how the electric field acts in a circuit.

I have been told that a normal cell creates a uniform electric field, but I find it a bit confusing. Let me explain my doubt with a diagram.

Suppose there is a circuit and the resistor $r_1$ undergoes a potential drop of $0.4~\rm V$ and resistor $r_2$ undergoes a potential drop of $1.1~\rm V$ but then, since the electric field increases with increase in potential gradient, then the electric field through the resistor $r_2$ should be greater, shouldn't it? This goes against the idea that electric field in a circuit is uniform and if the electric field isn't constant in the circuit, then why is the battery called a fixed voltage source if the electric field applied by it varies? I find this very confusing,

• What gave you the idea that electric field in a circuit is uniform? It definitely isn't. Perhaps you're confusing current with electric field? – Chris Feb 14 '18 at 3:55
• since the cell produces a constant electric field, i thought it would be reasonable to assume electric field in a circuit is constant and even in the derivation of ohm's law ,it is taken a constant . – Adithya Vijay Feb 14 '18 at 3:59
• I don't know what derivation of Ohm's law you're talking about, but I think it's likely that the electric field is taken to be constant across a single component. As for your other point, you've shown that the electric field is not uniform in this circuit. The electric field configuration created by a cell depends on the circuit it is connected to, and is not uniform in general. – Chris Feb 14 '18 at 4:02
• so then , both the resistors should be experiencing different electric field ,right ?but since, a 1.5v potential difference is created across the terminals of the cell,an electric field would be generated which takes the electrons from the postive to negative terminal of the cell . shouldn't that be constant ? if then ,the electric field through the wire ,changes on seeing the resistor and after passing out of the resistor,it gains its constant magnitude .is that how it works ? – Adithya Vijay Feb 14 '18 at 4:16
• also, why is battery called a fixed voltage source if electric field supplied by it varies across resistors ? – Adithya Vijay Feb 14 '18 at 4:24