What make the electrons to move in conductor with current?

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SUMMARY

The movement of electrons in a conductor under direct current is primarily driven by the electric field generated by a potential difference, as described by the Lorentz force equation F=qE. The electric field causes free electrons to drift, creating a current, which can be quantitatively expressed using the equation I = neAv_d, where n is the number of charge carriers, e is the charge of an electron, and v_d is the drift velocity. The perturbation of the electric field propagates through the conductor at nearly the speed of light, allowing for rapid signal transmission despite the slow drift of individual electrons. Understanding these principles is essential for grasping the fundamentals of electricity and electromagnetism.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Lorentz force equation (F=qE)
  • Familiarity with the concepts of electric fields and potential difference
  • Basic knowledge of current density (J = nevd)
  • Awareness of the relationship between electric and magnetic fields as described by Maxwell's equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electromagnetism as outlined in "Halliday and Resnick" or similar introductory physics texts.
  • Explore the concept of electric field propagation and its effects on electron movement in conductors.
  • Learn about Maxwell's equations and their implications for electric and magnetic fields.
  • Investigate the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction and its applications in electrical engineering.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamental principles of electricity and electromagnetism, particularly in the context of direct current systems.

  • #31
scientist91 said:
Look, how is possible some of the electrons to flow and on that section of the closed loop to miss electrons (+) and on the other side to have only electrons?(-)
Look, an emf is induced in the loop and electrons will flow around the loop. Beyond that I have absolutely no idea what your asking.
 
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  • #32
scientist91 said:
Look, how is possible some of the electrons to flow and on that section of the closed loop to miss electrons (+) and on the other side to have only electrons?(-)
I believe one is referring to Faraday's Law with respect to a conductor moving in a magnetic field -
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/elevol.html

There doesn't have to be a loop. There can be conductor and the electrons are forced to one end where they accumulate and provide a net negative charge, with a corresponding + charge at the other end of the conductor - and that establishes a potential difference. If a load is put across the conductor, one obtains a current.

And there is a similar effect for a current in a conductor called the Hall effect.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/hall.html

The one may ask - how does a magnetic field impart a force on a moving charge (Lorentz force), or how does a changing magnetic field or moving magnetic field impart a force on a charge, moving or not.
 
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  • #33
Voltage is from the one side there are missing electrons and from the other there are electrons so there is potential difference.
The atoms and electrons in the conductor are all same. So when you force them with the magnetic field all of them should move not part of them.
 
  • #34
scientist91 said:
Voltage is from the one side there are missing electrons and from the other there are electrons so there is potential difference.
The atoms and electrons in the conductor are all same. So when you force them with the magnetic field all of them should move not part of them.
The electrons are bound to atoms with different energies. Many electrons will move, but then Coulomb repulsion (force) prevents more from moving. One can increase the magnetic field which increases the number of electrons that can be 'forced' to the same end of the conductor. Turn off the magnetic field and the electrons rapidly return to the atoms from which they had escaped.

It's a bit like pushing a box up frictionless (or perhaps very low friction) slope. One pushes the box up the gravity field so far and then stops. One still has to push against the force of gravity even when stopped. Then remove the pushing force and the box slides down the slope. A somewhat crude analogy.
 
  • #35
Astronuc said:
The electrons are bound to atoms with different energies. Many electrons will move, but then Coulomb repulsion (force) prevents more from moving. One can increase the magnetic field which increases the number of electrons that can be 'forced' to the same end of the conductor. Turn off the magnetic field and the electrons rapidly return to the atoms from which they had escaped.

It's a bit like pushing a box up frictionless (or perhaps very low friction) slope. One pushes the box up the gravity field so far and then stops. One still has to push against the force of gravity even when stopped. Then remove the pushing force and the box slides down the slope. A somewhat crude analogy.
Which is that Coulomb repulsion, explain please. Thank you.
 
  • #36
scientist91 said:
Which is that Coulomb repulsion, explain please. Thank you.
The Coulomb force, the electrostatic force felt between two charged particles. I intend no offence when I say this, but you are expecting us to teach you physics from the ground up. While we are all patient folk and don't mind discussing the subject(s) we love, it is not necessarily in your best interests to learn the basics of physics over a forum. It would be much more productive to invest in an elementary undergraduate physics textbook, which could offer far more extensive and thorough explanations than are even remotely possible on a forum.

Best wishes,
Hoot
 
  • #37
hi
Hootenanny has explained very well.If you want a simpler explanation it follows
To create a flow of any substance you have to develop a didfference between its two ends.whether it is a tube full of water or a conductor.when a potential difference develops at the two ends of a conductor the electron starts moving from higher potenrial towards lower potential.Now how does this potential difference arises? the battery develops the potentialdifference whivh is measured in volts.ex 1.5 volt,9 volt ...
 

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