Generating Electric Currents Through Bouncing

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the feasibility of generating an electrical current by physically bouncing electrical conductors, specifically copper, off one another. It touches on concepts of momentum, force, and the mechanics of electron movement, as well as the operation of batteries in generating electrical currents.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether bouncing electrical conductors could generate a brief electrical signal, considering the energy implications.
  • Another participant explains that electrons do not follow Newtonian mechanics and discusses the relationship between momentum and force, suggesting that the force generated from such a collision would be negligible compared to the forces at play within an atom.
  • A later post seeks clarification on how batteries initiate an electrical current, indicating a shift in focus from the original question about bouncing conductors.
  • Another participant describes the operation of batteries, emphasizing the role of chemical reactions and the flow of electrons in a circuit.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial question regarding the generation of electrical current through bouncing conductors. However, there is agreement on the basic principles of how batteries work and the role of chemical reactions in producing electrical currents.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the mechanics of electrons and the forces involved, which may not fully account for all factors influencing the proposed scenario of bouncing conductors. The explanation of battery operation relies on specific chemical processes that may not be universally applicable to all types of batteries.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring concepts in electrical engineering, physics, or chemistry, particularly those curious about the generation of electrical currents and the mechanics of electron behavior.

cam875
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Out of curiosity is it possible to generate a split second of an electrical current which would be more of an electrical signal by literally boucing an electrical conductor off of another electrical conductor, such as copper hitting copper sending the electrons flying down the current or would this take too much energy or something.
 
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Firstly, electrons don't operate with usual Newtonian mechanics. But even if they did, you have to think about how momentum works. Momentum is mass multiplied by velocity (p=mv). If you have an electron moving at 1000m/s, it still only has a mass of about 9.1x10^-31 kg, so its momentum is only 9.1x10^-28 kg·m/s.
Momentum and force are related by time (F=p/t). The force exerted would be tiny, even if the time taken to slow from 1000m/s to 0m/s was 0.1 milliseconds, you're looking at a force of 9.1x10^-28 Newtons. The attraction force (Coulomb's law) says that F=(q1·q2)/(4pi·E0·(r^2)), where E0 is the permittivity of space. Using the Bohr radius (5.291x10^-11 m) and the electron/proton charges (1.609x10^-19 C, negative for electrons) we can calculate that the attractive force between the electron and nucleus of a Hydrogen atom is around 8.3x10^-8 N, which is tens of orders of magnitude higher than the force of deceleration we calculated above.

In short, we can basically say that the force of electrical attraction between the nucleus and electrons in an atom is much much greater than any force you can reasonably generate from hitting two pieces of copper together.
 
ok cool makes sense so now I am going to ask how does a battery start an electrical current. thanks in advance and for the good answer above.
 
A battery works with a chemical reaction, performing what is basically the opposite of electrolysis. Salts and metals react to produce ions. The electrons flow freely between each "half cell" of the battery. When there is no circuit, the electrons have nowhere to go and don't pass between the cells. When there is a circuit, the electrons flow producing an electric current.
 

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