Understanding Electron Flow in Direct Current

AI Thread Summary
In direct current (DC), electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal due to the forces of attraction and repulsion. Electrons are repelled by negative charges and attracted to positive charges, which drives their movement through a conductor. When a positive charge is applied at one end and a negative charge at the other, electrons are pushed toward the positive end and pulled away from the negative end. This continuous movement prevents electrons from simply meeting in the middle. Understanding these principles clarifies how electron flow operates in DC circuits.
Cash Fulton
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I don't get DC. How do the electrons flow from one side to the other? Wouldn’t the electrons on both terminals just meet in the middle because of their attraction?
 
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Electrons are repelled by negative charges (including other electrons) and attracted by positive charges. If I apply a positive charge at one end of a wire and a negative charge at the other, electrons will be attracted towards the positive end and repelled by the negative end, so will tend to move from the positive end to the negative end. There's no "meet in the middle" going on; no matter where in the wire the electrons are, they're being pushed by the negative charge behind them and pulled by the positive in front of them.
 
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Nugatory said:
Electrons are repelled by negative charges (including other electrons) and attracted by positive charges. If I apply a positive charge at one end of a wire and a negative charge at the other, electrons will be attracted towards the positive end and repelled by the negative end, so will tend to move from the positive end to the negative end. There's no "meet in the middle" going on; no matter where in the wire the electrons are, they're being pushed by the negative charge behind them and pulled by the positive in front of them.
Well explained sir!
 
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