The flow of charge inside a circuit.

AI Thread Summary
Current in a circuit is generated by the movement of charges through an electric field, such as that produced by a battery. Although charges are initially accelerated by the electric field, they quickly collide with other electrons in the wire, losing energy and changing direction. This results in a net drift of electrons in the direction of the electric field despite the collisions. The balance between acceleration and resistance from collisions is what allows a steady current to flow. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for grasping how circuits operate.
Yuqing
Messages
216
Reaction score
0
Hi everyone. This isn't a homework question but rather a question of my understanding.

From what I know, a current is produced because charges in the current are moved through the electric field of another charge, such as the one produced by the battery. Why is it then that the charges are not accelerated as they pass through the wire as they should be in the presence of an electric field?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yuqing said:
Why is it then that the charges are not accelerated as they pass through the wire as they should be in the presence of an electric field?
They are accelerated, but for a short duration. In a short time they collide with other electrons, loss some energy, and may change their direction. But there is a net drift in the electrons in the direction of the applied electric field.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Why is source force + electrostatic force = 0 inside battery?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Confused about direction of electric field
Replies
7
Views
3K
Why do the headlights on the car become dim when the car is starting?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Mechanisms Involved When Charging a Battery
Replies
10
Views
1K
How does a simple circuit work?
Replies
12
Views
1K
Determining Current Direction in a Charging RC Circuit
Replies
1
Views
2K
Understanding Charge Flow in RC Circuits: A Scientist's Perspective
Replies
8
Views
2K
Why Do Capacitors Behave Differently in Series and Parallel Configurations?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Electric Field Inside Cylindrical Capacitor
Replies
2
Views
2K
Electric field external to Conducting Hollow Sphere with charge inside
Replies
23
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top