Physics Chapter on Drift Speed and Electric Fields

What is the primary reason no electric current is observed in a conductor at room temperature without an external electric field?

What force acts on the free electrons when an external electric field is applied across the conductor?

If the potential difference across a conductor is doubled while keeping its length constant, how does the electric field strength change?

What is the relationship between the mass of an electron and its acceleration when subjected to an electric field?

What role does thermal motion play in the behavior of free electrons in a conductor at room temperature?

Drift Speed

Drift speed is the average velocity of charge carriers in a conductor when an electric field is applied.
The number of free electrons per unit volume is denoted as 'n'.
Thermal motion of electrons causes zig-zag motion, and random motion velocity is zero.
When an external electric field (E) is applied across a conductor, free electrons experience a force (F).
The force is given by F = eE, where 'e' is the charge of an electron.
From Newton's second law, F = ma, where 'm' is the mass of an electron.
Acceleration (a) is given by a = eE/m.
The drift velocity (Vd) is related to the acceleration by Vd = at.

Electric Field and Force

Electric field (E) is calculated as the voltage (V) divided by the length (L) of the conductor. E = V/L.
The force acting on an electron within the electric field is directly proportional to the electric field strength, and the constant of proportionality is the charge of the electron (e).
This relationship is represented as F = eE.
The acceleration of an electron is determined by the electric field and the mass of the electron, (a=eE/m).
A force (F) is applied due to the potential difference (V) across the conductor.
The force experienced by each free electron is proportional to the strength of E.

This quiz covers key concepts related to drift speed and electric fields in conductors. It examines the average velocity of charge carriers and the effects of electric fields on electron motion. Test your understanding of the relationships between electric force, acceleration, and drift velocity.