The flow of charge inside a circuit.

[Yuqing]

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?

 

[rl.bhat]

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.