How do electrons flow in an electric circuit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature of electron flow in electric circuits, exploring whether electrons move in a domino-like effect or if the same electrons travel from the source to the destination. Participants examine the implications of wave-like propagation and the role of free electrons in conductors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that electron flow resembles a domino effect, where one electron's movement causes another to be ejected from an atom.
  • Others argue that there is a transmission delay, suggesting that the flow is more wave-like in nature.
  • A participant clarifies that while the initial motion may appear instantaneous, it actually propagates through the medium, similar to a wave moving through a series of ping pong balls.
  • Another participant emphasizes that electrons do not need to travel the entire circuit to power a device, as the movement of electrons at one end initiates movement throughout the circuit almost immediately.
  • It is noted that in conductors, there are free electrons that act as charge carriers, which travel past atoms rather than moving from atom to atom.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of electron flow, with no consensus reached on whether the flow is more domino-like or wave-like. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the precise mechanics of electron movement in circuits.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the presence of transmission delays and the role of free electrons, but the discussion does not resolve the implications of these factors on the overall understanding of electron flow.

lnsanity
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I want to know if the flow of electron act like a domino effect where 1 electron enter 1 atom than 1 extra electron of that atom is ejected and so on or is it the same electron that move from where the current is produce to your home.
 
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It's the first one, though there is a transmission delay that makes it much more like a wave.
 
russ_watters said:
It's the first one, though there is a transmission delay that makes it much more like a wave.

Wave is a self propagating moving disturbance I think it is different than moving electron.
 
Last edited:
I think I explained that poorly: it is only the start of the motion that is wavelike. If you have a tube filled with ping pong balls and you push a ping pong ball into one end, one drops out the other end. At first glance, this may appear to be instantaneous, but it isn't. The motion starts as a wave propagating through the balls.
 
yeah, the electron doesn't need to go all the way around the circuit to start powering a lightbulb. It is as russ said, the electrons at one end get pushed, and these electrons push other electrons, which means that after a (very) short amount of time, all the electrons start moving around in a circuit.

Also, in a conductor, there are electrons which are not associated with any atom, they are (almost completely) free electrons, these are the ones which are the charge carriers. So it is not really true that the electrons are going from atom to atom, more that they travel past the atoms.
 

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