- #1
stephen163
- 17
- 0
When some people try to explain current flow in a circuit, their explanation troubles me. They say that electrons 'push against each other' and this is responsible for the close to speed of light propagation even when the electrons themselves are moving very slow.
My view is that though electrons may collide, the real reason that the effects of an electric circuit are almost instantaenous is because all electrons in the circuit are suddenly within an electric field - exterting a force, and the electric field itself travels at the speed of light. Nothing at all to do with electrons pushing, like water flowing out of a pipe.
Anyone agree/disagree?
My view is that though electrons may collide, the real reason that the effects of an electric circuit are almost instantaenous is because all electrons in the circuit are suddenly within an electric field - exterting a force, and the electric field itself travels at the speed of light. Nothing at all to do with electrons pushing, like water flowing out of a pipe.
Anyone agree/disagree?