How Long Does It Take an Electron to Travel Through a Copper Wire?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the time it takes for an electron to travel through a 1-meter copper wire carrying a current of 100A. The drift velocity is determined using the formula v_d = i/(Ane), where A is the cross-sectional area and n is the electron density. The resistivity of copper is mentioned but deemed unnecessary for the calculation since the current is already provided. The resistivity could be used to derive mobility, but it does not directly impact the drift velocity in this context. The overall conclusion is that the resistivity information, while interesting, is not essential for solving the problem at hand.
cseil
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Homework Statement


There's an engine connected to a battery with a copper wire.
ρ = 1.69x10^-8
n = 8.49*10^28 electrons/m^2

The diameter of the wire is 5mm. The length is 1m.
How long does it take for an electron to go from the battery to the engine if i = 100A?

Homework Equations



## v_d = \frac{J}{ne} = \frac{i}{Ane} ##

The Attempt at a Solution



I calculated ##v_d## with the equation I wrote above.
I know that the drift velocity could be considered constant. So I calculated t:

## x(t) = 1m = vt => t = 1/v_d ##

My only question is: why did he give me the resistivity!?
Is there something unclear to me?

Thank you
 
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cseil said:

Homework Statement


There's an engine connected to a battery with a copper wire.
ρ = 1.69x10^-8
n = 8.49*10^28 electrons/m^2

The diameter of the wire is 5mm. The length is 1m.
How long does it take for an electron to go from the battery to the engine if i = 100A?

Homework Equations



## v_d = \frac{J}{ne} = \frac{i}{Ane} ##

The Attempt at a Solution



I calculated ##v_d## with the equation I wrote above.
I know that the drift velocity could be considered constant. So I calculated t:

## x(t) = 1m = vt => t = 1/v_d ##

My only question is: why did he give me the resistivity!?
Is there something unclear to me?

Thank you
Your method is correct. The resistivity was not necessary, but one can calculate the mobility from it, and then the drift velocity from the mobility. As the current was given, that was not necessary.
 
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