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Name: Frank C.
Status: educator
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 3/5/2004
Question:
What is the rate of electron flow in feet per seconds?

Replies:
Frank,

The rate of electron flow in ft/s, the "drift speed" of electrons, depends on a variety of things. More current through a wire means more electrons per second. This can be due to an increased number of electrons or an increased speed. Which it is depends on how tightly packed the free electrons are: the number of electrons per unit length of wire, or electrons per foot. Divide the current (i.e. Coulombs per second) by the charge of an electron (1.60x10^-19 Coulombs) to get the number of electrons per second. Divide this by the linear density of electrons (electrons per foot) to get the average drift speed of the electrons (feet per second).

Dr. Ken Mellendorf
Physics Professor
Illinois Central College


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