Does temperature affect the movement of electrons in a circuit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of temperature on the movement of electrons in a circuit, specifically focusing on the relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of electrons, while disregarding the overall behavior of current flow through a wire.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that higher temperatures result in increased resistance due to vibrating atoms obstructing electron flow, while also suggesting that the velocity of electrons may increase at higher temperatures.
  • Another participant connects temperature to the kinetic energy of particles, stating that higher temperatures generally lead to free electrons having more kinetic energy.
  • A question is raised about the cause of the increase in kinetic energy of electrons at higher temperatures.
  • It is proposed that kinetic energy is fundamentally linked to temperature, with collisions among particles being a source of changes in kinetic energy.
  • A later reply clarifies that in a scenario of high external temperature, one might expect the kinetic energy of electrons in a circuit to be higher compared to lower temperatures, while seeking to understand the causes and effects of this phenomenon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the relationship between temperature and electron movement, with some agreeing on the connection between temperature and kinetic energy, while others seek clarification on the underlying causes and effects. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the relationship between temperature and kinetic energy, as well as the effects of collisions on electron behavior, which may not be fully explored or defined.

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By knowledge I know that an electron moving through a wire will experience more resistance at high temperatures than average, this is due to the vibrating atoms in the conductor which keep obstructing the flow of current or charge carriers.

I have also been told that the rate of current or velocity of an electron is higher at high temperatures than at lower temperature.

My question is what effect does temperature have on a moving electron disregarding the behaviour of flowing current through a wire.

I hope I have made myself clear. If any of my sentences is wrong please correct me to understand.

Thanks.
 
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Temperature is related to the kinetic energies of the particles it is measured from. Free electrons are some of those particles. So generally speaking, if the temperature is higher, free electrons will contain more kinetic energy.
 
What will be the cause of increase in kinetic energy?
 
Kinetic energy is the source of temperature!

To say "this material has a high temperature" is the same saying "the particles of this this material have a lot of kinetic energy"!

Look at the second equation here, T and kinetic E are related by a simple proportionality constant:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperature#Kinetic_theory_of_gases

It is the collisions that cause change in kinetic energy. Collisions with whatever (atoms, photon, phonons) brings over the heat.
 
That's clear. I am talking about external temperature. Suppose the room temperature is very high. Should one expect the kinetic energy of the electron within a circuit to be very high than if it was at low temperature. My question here is what will be the cause and what effect does temperature have on the electrons in this case?

I understand temperature in the wire will be high when the kinetic energy on the electrons is very high due to collision with other particles.
 

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