Comparing Currents: Two Wire Comparison Homework

  • Thread starter Thread starter Winzer
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Comparison Wire
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating the ratio of current between two wires with differing drift speeds. Wire 1 has a drift speed that increases linearly from zero at the circumference to a maximum at the center, described by the equation vd1(r) = Vo(1 - (r/R)). Wire 2 maintains a constant drift speed represented by vd2(r) = fVo, where f = 0.490. The solution involves using the current formula I = nqAVd and integrating to find the current in wire 1, leading to the conclusion that the ratio of currents is determined by the ratio of their respective drift speeds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric current and charge carriers
  • Familiarity with the concept of drift speed in conductors
  • Knowledge of integration techniques in calculus
  • Proficiency in applying the formula I = nqAVd
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the integration of functions to calculate current in non-uniform fields
  • Explore the implications of varying drift speeds on current density
  • Learn about the physical properties of conductors affecting charge carrier density
  • Investigate the effects of wire geometry on electrical conductivity
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or electrical engineering, educators teaching electromagnetism, and anyone interested in the principles of current flow in conductors.

Winzer
Messages
597
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The diagram shows two wires; wire 1 and wire 2. The charge carriers in wire 1 (of circular cross section and radius R) have a drift speed down the wire that is not constant across the wire. Instead, the drift speed rises linearly from zero at the circumference (r=R) to at the center (r = 0), according to vd1(r)=Vo(1-(r/R)).The second wire (wire 2) has the same radius, the same density of charge carriers and a constant drift speed given by vd1(r)= fVo. Evaluate the ratio of the current carried by wire 2 to the current carried by wire 1, when f = 0.490.

Homework Equations


[tex]I=nqAV_{d}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{qnAV_{d2}}{qnAV_{d1}}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


So since q,n,A are the same they cancel leaving:
[tex]\frac{I_{2}}{I_{1}}= \frac{V_{d2}}{V_{d1}}[/tex]
I need to find vd now.
 

Attachments

  • TwoWireComparison1.jpg
    TwoWireComparison1.jpg
    7.5 KB · Views: 863
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
To find current in first wire you need to integrate. Sice speed is constant at fixed r you should write: [tex]dI=nqv(r)2\pi rdr[/tex] and then integrate.

Hope you understand why, else ask.
 
got it thanks. Yes I know why
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K