Electric current misconception

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a conceptual misunderstanding of electric current, specifically addressing the immediate lighting of a lamp when a switch is pressed and the role of electron movement within a wire. Participants explore the nature of forces acting on electrons and the concept of electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how electric current works, noting that electrons have a slow drift velocity and questioning the immediate effect of pressing a light switch.
  • Another participant suggests that there is a force causing electrons to move, asking for clarification on what that force is and its origin.
  • A participant identifies the force as the Lorentz force, providing the formula for it.
  • Further clarification is sought on whether the Lorentz force affects all electrons in the wire.
  • It is noted that while the Lorentz force affects all electrons, only the valence electrons in a typical metal move significantly due to additional strong forces acting on protons and other electrons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the understanding of electric current and the forces involved, with ongoing questions about the nature of these forces and their effects on electron movement.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the definition and role of the electric field, as well as the specific conditions under which the Lorentz force operates in the context of electric current.

Amr Elsayed
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Hello everyone,
I have a problem which is a conceptual misunderstanding concerning electric current.
I understand that different charges attract and like charges repell, I want to know what really happens inside the wire so a lamp lights immediately when we press on the light button.
an electron takes much time to travel short distances "drift velocity" so it's not the same electron that lights the lamp and come back immediately " as I learned in middle school". I now think of it like there is some force that causes all the electrons or at least 1 electron from each atom to move. Is it right ? what exactly is that force and what caused it ?
Hint: I have no idea what an electric field is
 
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It's okay to provide me with a good detailed source to understand the whole thing, would you recommend anything ?
 
DaleSpam said:
The force is called the Lorentz force
so this lorentz force affects all the electrons in the wire setting them in motion ??
 
It affects all of the electrons and all of the protons also. However most protons and electrons are subject to pretty strong additional forces. So only the valence electrons move much in a typical metal.
 
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