Relationship between current, drift velocity and thermal velocity

In summary, for a normal solid cylindrical resistor made of copper at room temperature, the relationship between the current in the conductor, the drift velocity of conduction electrons, and the thermal velocity of conduction electrons is that the drift velocity and current are directly proportional, while the thermal velocity depends on the temperature. The thermal energy can be calculated using the formula 3/2 kT, and the thermal velocity can be determined using the equation sqrt(3kT/m), which is approximately 10^5 m/s at room temperature. The relationship between current and drift velocity can be expressed as I = vnqA, and in terms of current density, J = vnq, where n is the concentration of electrons and q is their charge.
  • #1
yanyin
21
0
for a normal solid cylindrical resistor, made of say copper, at room temperature, describe the relationshop between the current in the conductor, the drift velocity of conduction electrons in the conductor, and the thermal velocity of conduction electrons in the conductor.
 
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  • #2
The drift velocity and current are proportional. The thermal speed depends on the temperature. Current is not much affected.
 
  • #3
could u give a formula pls
 
  • #4
The thermal energy is 3/2 kT, so equating that to kinetic energy, thermal velocity is sqrt(3kT/m), on the order of 10^5 m/s at room temperature.

The drift velocity is related to current like I = vnqA, where n is the concentration (per volume), of electrons, q is the charge. In terms of current density, J = vnq. Current density is charge per second per area, so dividing both sides by q relates a particle flux on the left hand side to a concentration times a velocity on the right. This is a general relationship in kinetics.
 
  • #5


The relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity in a normal solid cylindrical resistor made of copper at room temperature is complex and dependent on various factors. The current in the conductor is directly proportional to the drift velocity of conduction electrons. This means that as the current increases, the drift velocity of conduction electrons also increases.

The drift velocity of conduction electrons is the average velocity at which the electrons move in the direction of the electric field. In a solid conductor, the electrons are constantly colliding with the atoms of the material, which causes them to change direction and slow down. This results in a lower drift velocity compared to the thermal velocity of the electrons.

On the other hand, the thermal velocity of conduction electrons is the average velocity at which the electrons move due to their thermal energy. At room temperature, the thermal velocity of electrons in copper is on the order of 10^5 m/s, which is much higher than the drift velocity.

The relationship between the thermal velocity and the drift velocity can be described by the concept of mean free path. The mean free path is the average distance an electron travels before colliding with an atom. In a normal solid conductor, the mean free path is much shorter than the length of the conductor. This means that the electrons are constantly colliding and changing direction, resulting in a lower drift velocity.

Furthermore, the thermal velocity of electrons in a conductor also depends on the temperature of the material. As the temperature increases, the thermal velocity also increases, leading to an increase in the mean free path. This results in a decrease in the number of collisions and an increase in the drift velocity.

In summary, the relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity in a normal solid cylindrical resistor made of copper at room temperature is complex and dependent on factors such as temperature, mean free path, and the material properties. However, it can be generally stated that an increase in current leads to an increase in drift velocity, while an increase in temperature leads to an increase in both thermal velocity and drift velocity.
 

1. What is the relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity?

The relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity is described by the equation: I = nAve, where I is the current, n is the number of charge carriers per unit volume, A is the cross-sectional area of the conductor, v is the drift velocity of the charge carriers, and e is the charge of the carriers. This equation shows that the current is directly proportional to both the drift velocity and the number of charge carriers, and is also affected by the area of the conductor.

2. How does the drift velocity of charge carriers affect the current in a conductor?

The drift velocity of charge carriers directly affects the current in a conductor. As the drift velocity increases, the current also increases, and vice versa. This is because the drift velocity is one of the factors in the equation for current (I = nAve), meaning that a change in the drift velocity will result in a change in the current.

3. What role does temperature play in the relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity?

Temperature affects the relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity in two ways. Firstly, an increase in temperature leads to an increase in thermal velocity, which is the average speed at which the charge carriers move due to their thermal energy. This, in turn, increases the overall drift velocity of the charge carriers, resulting in an increase in current. Secondly, temperature also affects the number of available charge carriers, as it can alter the number of impurities or defects in the conductor. This can also impact the current, as it affects the value of n in the equation for current.

4. How does the cross-sectional area of a conductor affect the current?

The cross-sectional area of a conductor affects the current by changing the amount of available space for charge carriers to move through. A larger cross-sectional area allows for more charge carriers to pass through at a given time, resulting in a higher current. This is reflected in the equation for current (I = nAve), where A is a direct factor in determining the current.

5. Is the relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity only applicable to conductors?

No, the relationship between current, drift velocity, and thermal velocity applies to all types of conductors, including both metallic and non-metallic conductors. This is because the movement of charge carriers and their thermal energy are fundamental principles in the flow of current, regardless of the type of material being used as a conductor.

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