Is the Electron a Wave Medium?

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    Electron Medium Wave
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of whether electrons can be considered a wave medium through which energy propagates, particularly in the context of electrical circuits. Participants explore the implications of this idea, including the nature of electron movement and energy transfer in conductors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference an article suggesting that electrons act as a wave medium for energy propagation, questioning its validity.
  • One participant argues against the notion that electrons carry energy around a circuit, comparing the process to a bicycle chain where a wave of tension travels quickly while the individual links move slowly.
  • Another participant asserts that electrons do indeed move around the circuit, introducing the term 'drift flow' and suggesting that this is a valid perspective on their role in energy transfer.
  • Participants discuss the concept of 'drift velocity,' noting that while electrons have a slow average speed, the energy transfer occurs much faster, similar to the tension in a bicycle chain.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether electrons can be considered a wave medium and how they move within a circuit. There is no consensus on the validity of the initial claim or the implications of electron movement.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of electron movement, including distinctions between drift velocity and thermal motion, but do not resolve the underlying assumptions about energy propagation and the nature of electrons in circuits.

bejoynp
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In this following link:

http://amasci.com/miscon/eleca.html#electron

the author has mentioned that electrons are a wave medium through which energy can propagate. Is it true?
 
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That is a good way of looking at it. It is definitely wrong to say that the electrons 'go round the circuit' carrying energy with them. For a start, they actually move through a metal at only a few mm per second and the light goes on as soon as you flick the switch.

I like to visualise what happens in a conductor as what happens in a bicycle chain. When you stamp on the pedal, a shock wave travels through the links, the tension is established and, very soon afterwards, the wheel starts to move. The links have only moved a miniscule amount, though. This is what happens with the electrons. A wave passes along, due to the repulsive forces between adjacent electrons (due to the electric fields). This travels very quickly - but not quite as fast as the speed of light.
 
They actually do 'go round the circuit'. I think the term is called 'drift flow' or something (now I'm curious. what exactly is the term?), but that's not important to the circuit, so yes, considering them the medium of a wave in the circuit is a good way of looking at it.
 
Galap said:
They actually do 'go round the circuit'. I think the term is called 'drift flow' or something (now I'm curious. what exactly is the term?), but that's not important to the circuit, so yes, considering them the medium of a wave in the circuit is a good way of looking at it.

That's what I wrote. But they go verrrrry slowly and that is hardly relevant to the carrying of the energy. A Bicycle chain also 'goes round' but the energy gets from foot to wheel much quicker.
The term you want is 'drift velocity', I think. This velocity is much less than the mean square velocity, due to thermal motion, though.
 

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