---
title: "A cylindrical conductor with uniform resistivity \\(\\rho\\) carries a steady current \\(I\\). The conductor consists of two segments joined end-to-end: Segment 1 has a cross-sectional area \\(A_1 = A\\), and Segment 2 has a cross-sectional area \\(A_2 = 2A\\).  Which of the following correctly compares the electric field magnitude \\(E\\) and the total electric current \\(I\\) in Segment 1 to those in Segment 2?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118353/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T08:09:40+00:00"
---

# A cylindrical conductor with uniform resistivity \(\rho\) carries a steady current \(I\). The conductor consists of two segments joined end-to-end: Segment 1 has a cross-sectional area \(A_1 = A\), and Segment 2 has a cross-sectional area \(A_2 = 2A\).

Which of the following correctly compares the electric field magnitude \(E\) and the total electric current \(I\) in Segment 1 to those in Segment 2?

A cylindrical conductor with uniform resistivity \(\rho\) carries a steady current \(I\). The conductor consists of two segments joined end-to-end: Segment 1 has a cross-sectional area \(A_1 = A\), and Segment 2 has a cross-sectional area \(A_2 = 2A\).

Which of the following correctly compares the electric field magnitude \(E\) and the total electric current \(I\) in Segment 1 to those in Segment 2?

![A horizontal cylindrical wire composed of two coaxial sections attached end-to-end. On the left, Segment 1 is depicted as a narrower horizontal cylinder of length L_1 and cross-sectional area A_1 = A. On the right, Segment 2 is depicted as a wider horizontal cylinder of length L_2 and cross-sectional area A_2 = 2A. A smooth transition joins the right end of Segment 1 to the left end of Segment 2. A long horizontal arrow pointing to the right above Segment 1 is labeled with the current symbol I. A dashed horizontal centerline passes longitudinally through both cylindrical segments. A double-headed vertical arrow next to Segment 1 is labeled A, and a double-headed vertical arrow next to Segment 2 is labeled 2A. Segment 1 is labeled Segment 1, and Segment 2 is labeled Segment 2. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1785830979-Ax0UmD.jpg)

- **A.** \(\dfrac{E_1}{E_2} = \dfrac{1}{2}\) and \(\dfrac{I_1}{I_2} = \dfrac{1}{2}\)
- **B.** \(\dfrac{E_1}{E_2} = 1\) and \(\dfrac{I_1}{I_2} = 1\)
- **C.** \(\dfrac{E_1}{E_2} = 2\) and \(\dfrac{I_1}{I_2} = 1\)
- **D.** \(\dfrac{E_1}{E_2} = 2\) and \(\dfrac{I_1}{I_2} = 2\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118353/*