How Is the Total Number of Charge Carriers in a Conductor Calculated?

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SUMMARY

The total number of positive charge carriers in a conductor is calculated using the formula nAL, where n represents the volume density of carriers (in carriers per cubic meter), A is the cross-sectional area, and L is the length of the conductor. This formula derives from the relationship between the density of charge carriers and the volume of the conductor. The calculation is straightforward, as it involves multiplying the density by the volume of the conductor, which is defined as the product of its cross-sectional area and length.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electrical concepts, including current (I) and charge carriers.
  • Familiarity with the formula for volume (V = A × L) in the context of geometry.
  • Knowledge of SI units, particularly in measuring density (carriers per cubic meter).
  • Basic principles of conductivity and how charge carriers contribute to electrical flow.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between current and charge carriers in conductors using Ohm's Law.
  • Explore the concept of charge carrier density in different materials, such as semiconductors and metals.
  • Learn about the effects of temperature on charge carrier density and conductivity.
  • Investigate advanced topics in solid-state physics, focusing on electron mobility and drift velocity.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, electrical engineering professionals, and anyone interested in the fundamentals of electrical conductivity and charge carrier dynamics in materials.

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Homework Statement


Let L be the length of the conductor having uniform cross-section area A and density, let I be the current passing through the conductor. How the total number of positive charge carriers in the conductor of length L is (nAL)?
 
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n is just a given constant so naL is just a given too. Do not worry about it. It is just a density times a volume.
 
manimaran1605 said:

Homework Statement


Let L be the length of the conductor having uniform cross-section area A and density, let I be the current passing through the conductor. How the total number of positive charge carriers in the conductor of length L is (nAL)?

n is the volume density of carriers. In other words, there are n carriers per cubic meter if you're using SI units. Your wire volume is AL. So the number of carriers = number per cubic meter n times volume of the wire AL, or there is a total of nAL carriers in the wire.
 

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