CURRENT RM07.08
22 February 2023 11:07
Example 3.2 (a) In Example 3.1, the electron drift speed is estimated to be only a few mm s –1 for currents in the range of a few amperes? How then is current
established almost the instant a circuit is closed? (b) The electron drift arises due to the force experienced by electrons i n the electric field inside the conductor.
New Section 2 Page 1
, Example 3.2 (a) In Example 3.1, the electron drift speed is estimated to be only a few mm s –1 for currents in the range of a few amperes? How then is current
established almost the instant a circuit is closed? (b) The electron drift arises due to the force experienced by electrons i n the electric field inside the conductor.
But force should cause acceleration. Why then do the electrons acquire a steady average drift speed? (c) If the electron drif t speed is so small, and the electron’s
charge is small, how can we still obtain large amounts of current in a conductor? (d) When electrons drift in a metal from lo wer to higher potential, does it mean
that all the ‘free’ electrons of the metal are moving in the same direction? (e) Are the paths of electrons straight lines be tween successive collisions (with the
positive ions of the metal) in the (i) absence of electric field, (ii) presence of electric field
New Section 2 Page 2
22 February 2023 11:07
Example 3.2 (a) In Example 3.1, the electron drift speed is estimated to be only a few mm s –1 for currents in the range of a few amperes? How then is current
established almost the instant a circuit is closed? (b) The electron drift arises due to the force experienced by electrons i n the electric field inside the conductor.
New Section 2 Page 1
, Example 3.2 (a) In Example 3.1, the electron drift speed is estimated to be only a few mm s –1 for currents in the range of a few amperes? How then is current
established almost the instant a circuit is closed? (b) The electron drift arises due to the force experienced by electrons i n the electric field inside the conductor.
But force should cause acceleration. Why then do the electrons acquire a steady average drift speed? (c) If the electron drif t speed is so small, and the electron’s
charge is small, how can we still obtain large amounts of current in a conductor? (d) When electrons drift in a metal from lo wer to higher potential, does it mean
that all the ‘free’ electrons of the metal are moving in the same direction? (e) Are the paths of electrons straight lines be tween successive collisions (with the
positive ions of the metal) in the (i) absence of electric field, (ii) presence of electric field
New Section 2 Page 2
