Random Thoughts.....What Are You Thinking?

thorny's pressure comment is a common one, so much so there is a image to illustrate the concept

His explanation is right, it just kinda defeats the point of keeping it short and simple. A live conductor isn't actively pushing against anything, it's just waiting to touch something with a lower potential to equalize. But, when visualizing how a tool works or how a battery discharges at the layman level, it's not meaningfully different from hydraulic pressure.

Fun but useless item you learn in physics:

Electricity is not only particles and waves, its also a fluid.

Sorry electrical engineer here, my chances to put my knowledge in any general conversation is close to zero, need to jump when I can! People's response to finding out that information is generally to talk to someone else, rather than ask follow up questions. >.>

My first thought of pressure was like air or water which is basically intrinsic to the surrounding. Whereas potential requires an external force to activate (for voltage this "completing the circuit" (i.e. plug it in, turn it on)). Didn't really think about hydraulics. Like i said nitpicky anyways.

:) or the voltage is high enough.

if you put someone on a higher cliff you do not increase the likely hood they suddenly fall off of it. but if you increase the voltage the chance it will jump the gap increases until it arcs over and all the magic smoke is let out.

indeed a strong force that is hard to resist.