Why do resistors not result in voltage drop when measuring an open circuit

voltage

I'm very new to electronics and have been trying to learn the basics of electricity as a starting point. The mental model I've developed so far is the standard water/pipes analogy. I.e. voltage is like the pressure, amperage is flow of water, and ohms is the constricting or pinching of the pipe.

What I struggle with is how, if the circuit is open, the voltage would be unaffected by the resistors. As an example:

enter image description here

In this circuit if you measure the voltage between A-D, B-D, and C-D when the circuit is open like this, the voltage is always 5V. If connected however, the voltage becomes 5V, 2.5V, 0V, respectively.

Why are the open circuit voltages different? I understand that voltage represents a potential difference, but when we measure the voltage between B-D and C-D, shouldn't the resistance restrict some of that potential? It's hard for me to fit this into my mental model of water and pipes.

I know that Ohm's law requires current, and maybe that has something to do with it? But how can 5V be measured with the multimeter between C-D without the resistors affecting the potential during the measurement?

Best Answer

Why are the open circuit voltages different? I understand that voltage represents a potential difference, but when we measure the voltage between B-D and C-D, shouldn't the resistance restrict some of that potential? It's hard for me to fit this into my mental model of water and pipes.

The voltage drop through a resistor is given by Ohm's Law: \$V = IR\$. If \$I\$ is zero, then there is no voltage drop. Because no current can flow in an open circuit, \$I\$ is zero.

I know that Ohm's law requires current, and maybe that has something to do with it? But how can 5V be measured with the multimeter between C-D without the resistors affecting the potential during the measurement?

A voltmeter (or multimeter set to voltage mode) is specifically designed to measure a voltage while drawing as little current as possible. We can say that its input impedance is very large, on the order of megaohms.

You may solve the following circuit and convince yourself that the voltage across C-D is approximately 5 V:

enter image description here

(the 1 megaohm resistor represents your voltmeter's leakage, and is an under-estimate; in reality a good multimeter will be much closer to an open circuit)