How Does Electron Drift Speed Affect Current Flow in Copper Wires?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the drift speed of electrons in a copper wire carrying a current of 1 mA, with a radius of 1 mm. The calculations involve using the equations Q=It, Vd= I/nqA, and J = nqVd. The user initially calculated the drift speed as 1.17 x 10^-8 m/s, which was incorrect; the correct value is 2.36 x 10^-8 m/s. Additionally, the current density was calculated as 159 A/m², while the correct value is 318 A/m², indicating a misunderstanding of the area calculation for a circle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ohm's Law and current calculations (Q=It)
  • Familiarity with drift velocity equations (Vd= I/nqA)
  • Knowledge of current density concepts (J = nqVd)
  • Basic geometry for calculating the area of a circle
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation and application of the drift velocity equation (Vd= I/nqA)
  • Learn how to correctly calculate the area of a circle for physics applications
  • Study the implications of current density in conductive materials
  • Explore the relationship between electron drift speed and electrical conductivity in metals
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding electron behavior in conductive materials.

carus88
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A copper wire is carrying a current of 1 mA. How many electrons pass a point in the wire in one minute? If the radius of the wire is 1 mm, calculate the magnitude of the current density. Given that the number of conduction electrons in copper is 8.47 × 10^28 m-3, what is the drift speed of the electrons? A five metre length of this wire is used to connect the positive terminal of a battery to a light bulb via a switch, and a further 5 m length is used to link the other side of the bulb to the negative terminal of the battery. When the switch is closed, how long does it take on average for an electron to travel from the battery to the bulb? Why does the light come on much more quickly than this time would suggest?


1. Q=It
2. Vd= I/nqA
3. J = nqVd
4. so J equates to = I/A

For the first part i used equation 1. and then divided the answer by the charge on an electron. this gave me 3.75 x 10^17 electrons which i believe is right

The 2nd part asks for the drift velocity so i used 2.

and got 1x10^-3 / 8.47x10^28 x 1.602x10^-19 x (2x(Pi)x0.001^2)
This equalled 1.17x10^-8 ms-1

According to the answers this is in correct and should be 2.36x10^-8 ms-1

And using 4. i worked out J = 1x10-3/(2x(Pi)x0.001^2) = 159Am-2

Where as again the answers differ and it says J is 318Am-2

CAN ANYONE SHOW ME WHERE I AM GOING WRONG?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
 
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carus88 said:
and got 1x10^-3 / 8.47x10^28 x 1.602x10^-19 x (2x(Pi)x0.001^2)
This equalled 1.17x10^-8 ms-1

The area of a a circle is not 2\pi r^2.
 

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