Calculating Electric Current from Homework Equations

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In summary, a glass tube with a cross-sectional area of 8^-2 m^2 contains an ionized gas with densities of 10^15 positive ions/m^3 and 10^11 free electrons/m^3. Under the influence of an applied voltage, the positive ions have an average axial velocity of 6 x 10^3 m/s, while the electrons have an axial velocity 1000 times greater. Using the equation A=c/s=dq(+ ions)/dt+dq(- ions) and the value of the elementary charge (e=1.6602E-19), the attempt at a solution involved calculating the current moving through by first finding dq/dt for the positive ions and electrons, then adding the
  • #1
penandpaper
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Homework Statement



A glass tube with a cross-sectional area of 8^-2 m^2 contains an ionizd gas. The densities are 10^15 positive ions/m^3 and 10^11 free electrons/m3. Under the influence of an applied voltage, the postive ions are moving with an average axial velocity of 6 x 10^3 m/s. At that same point the axial velocity of the electrons is 1000 times as great. Calculate the electric current moving through.

Homework Equations



A= c/s = dq(+ ions)/dt + dq(- ions)

e = 1.6602E-19

The Attempt at a Solution



10^15*6x10^3*.08=4.8e17
4.8e17 * 1.602x10^-19 = .0769c/s
10^11*6x10^6*.08
4.8e16 * 1.602x10^-19 = .00769c/s

.00769+.0769= .0845c/s = 84.5mA


This isn't correct, but i don't know why? please help.
 
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  • #2
penandpaper said:

Homework Statement



A glass tube with a cross-sectional area of 8^-2 m^2 contains an ionizd gas. The densities are 10^15 positive ions/m^3 and 10^11 free electrons/m3. Under the influence of an applied voltage, the postive ions are moving with an average axial velocity of 6 x 10^3 m/s. At that same point the axial velocity of the electrons is 1000 times as great. Calculate the electric current moving through.

Homework Equations



A= c/s = dq(+ ions)/dt + dq(- ions)

e = 1.6602E-19

The Attempt at a Solution



10^15*6x10^3*.08=4.8e17
4.8e17 * 1.602x10^-19 = .0769c/s
10^11*6x10^6*.08
4.8e16 * 1.602x10^-19 = .00769c/s

.00769+.0769= .0845c/s = 84.5mA


This isn't correct, but i don't know why? please help.
If you wrote it right, you're using .08 which is 8 x 10^-2. The problem says 8^-2 = 1/64
 
  • #3
thanks, you are correct about that mistake with the .08 thing. i fixed that, but there is still something wrong with my method. any thoughts?
 

1. What is electric current?

Electric current is the flow of electric charge through a material. It is measured in amperes (A) and is represented by the symbol "I".

2. What are the equations used to calculate electric current?

The two main equations used to calculate electric current are Ohm's law (I = V/R) and Kirchhoff's current law (ΣI = 0).

3. How do I calculate electric current if I know the voltage and resistance?

To calculate electric current using Ohm's law, divide the voltage (V) by the resistance (R). The resulting value will be the electric current in amperes (A).

4. Can I calculate electric current if I only know the power and voltage?

Yes, you can calculate electric current using the equation I = P/V, where P is the power in watts (W) and V is the voltage in volts (V).

5. How do I apply Kirchhoff's current law to calculate electric current in a circuit?

To apply Kirchhoff's current law, also known as the junction rule, you must first identify all the incoming and outgoing currents at a junction in the circuit. Then, set up an equation where the sum of the incoming currents equals the sum of the outgoing currents. Solve for the unknown current to determine the value of electric current at that junction.

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