How Do Electrons and Ions Affect Current Calculation at Point A?

[hasan_researc]

Homework Statement

Imagine a point A on a piece of conducting material. If r electrons flow to the right of A and l ions flow to the left, what is the current at A?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

No idea! Please help!

 

[hikaru1221]

Do you mean that r electrons flow to the right of A and l ions flow to the left per time unit? What is the charge of the ion?

 

[hasan_researc]

Yes, per unit time.

Let's assume that the charge of the ion is twice the charge on the electron.

 

[graphene]

Current is the flow rate of positive charge.
In case of negative charge, current flows opposite to the flow of charge.

Handle each charge separately.

If I ions flow past A per unit time, how much charge has flown past A per unit time?
That gives you the current due to I.

Do the same for the electrons, this time current would flow opposite to their flow.

Then, add up the currents due to the ions and the electrons to get the total current.