Explore further
Speed
How fast do you think electrons travel through a wire?
Thermal velocity
Electrons move about in all directions in a wire at high speed. This is called their thermal velocity.
|
|
Electrons move at about 100 000 metres per second – according to Speed of electrons. |
Drift velocity
Electrons move through a wire slowly to produce an electric current. This is called their drift velocity.
|
|
Electrons move at about 0.024 cm per second, that’s only about 1 metre per hour – according to Speed of electrons. |
|
|
Question: So, electrons drift slowly through a wire, right? Why is it that when you turn on a light switch, the light comes on almost instantly? Hint: Think of water in a hose. |
