Electrical – Why does current flow through 1M resistor in this case

current-limiting

I asked a question about protecting a circuit from current spikes from a piezo electric device: Protecting circuit from piezoelectric disc voltage spike. Someone graciously provided me with a solution in the image below. I have a follow-on question.

Assuming that the piezoelectric device is struck very hard, it's voltage can spike to 30v. That's going to generate current that splits and some goes through the 1M resistor, some goes through the zener diode, and some goes out as signal to an IC (an ATTiny85 in my case). It's my understanding that electricity tries to follow the path of least resistance. If the voltage/current is high enough it will overcome the zener diode and flow through that path. Why would any electricity ever take the 1Mohm path if that path provides such high resistance? Also, doesn't the chip provide for an "easier" path for the electricity to flow through as well so wouldn't it just want to flow through there and fry the chip?

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Best Answer

It's my understanding that electricity tries to follow the path of least resistance.

This is an oversimplification.

(DC) Current goes through every path available to it, in proportion to the conductance of that path. And conductance is just the flip side of resistance

$$ G = \frac{1}{R}$$

If the voltage/current is high enough it will overcome the zener diode and flow through that path. Why would any electricity ever take the 1Mohm path if that path provides such high resistance?

Ohm's law says, for a resistor

$$I=\frac{V}{R}$$

If you apply 5 V across a 1 megohm resistor, 5 microamps will flow through it.

If you apply 30 V across a 1 megohm resistor, 30 microamps will flow through it.

If it didn't behave that way, we wouldn't call it a resistor.