It is known that the drift velocity of electrons is only a few mm/s for a current of a few amperes. How is it possible that a current is established almost instantaneously when a circuit is closed?

For example, a bulb glows as soon as the connection is switched on

The current is established almost instantaneously because an electric field is set up in the electric circuit as soon as it is closed, almost with the speed of light.

  • This leads to drift of local electron at each point in the circuit.
  • The establishment of a current does not require individual electrons to move from one end to the other end of the conductor.
  • Each free electron in the conductor accelerates due to the effect of the electric field until it collides with a positive metal ion and loses its drift velocity.
  • The electrons go through a continuous collision cycle and successive loosing of drift speed until an average drift speed is obtained.

Related Questions

  1. Write Two Differences Between Emf And Potential Difference.
  2. What Are Two Kinds Of Electricity?
  3. Why Potentiometer Is Preferred Over Voltmeter?
  4. Define: 1 volt, Potential difference.
  5. Two conducting wires X and Y of the same diameter but different materials are joined in series across a battery. If the number density of electrons in X is twice that in Y, find the ratio of the drift velocity of electrons in the two wires.

Read More:

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    A charged particle $+q$ in an electric field $\vec{E}$ experiences a force in the direction of the electric field. As a result, its kinetic energy changes. Similarly, the charged particle also experiences a force when it moves in a magnetic field $\vec{B}$. But this magnetic force is perpendicular to both velocity $\vec{v}$ of the charged particle and the magnetic field $\vec{B}$, so it cannot change the kinetic energy of the charged particle. Consider two charged particles 1 and 2 of masses $m$ and $\frac{m}{2}$ having charges $-q$ and $+2q$ respectively. They are accelerated from rest through the same potential difference $V$ and acquire kinetic energy $K_1$ and $K_2$. Then they enter in a region of uniform magnetic field $\vec{B}$ perpendicular to their velocities.


      • 2.
        Two air-filled capacitors of capacitances $C_1$ and $C_2$ are connected in parallel with a dc battery. After the capacitors are fully charged, a slab of dielectric constant K is inserted between the plates of each capacitor. How will the (i) charge on each capacitor and (ii) energy stored in the capacitor affected after the slab is introduced.


          • 3.
            With the help of a labelled diagram, explain the principle, construction and working of an a.c. generator.


              • 4.
                A student sets up the circuit as shown in the figure to find the value of unknown resistance X and records a set of readings of the voltmeter and the ammeter by using the rheostat.


                  • 5.
                    Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow.
                    In an experiment with convex lens of focal length f, the screen is fixed at a distance D from the object. A student slowly moves the lens away from the object towards the screen and finds that she is able to form sharp image of the object for two positions of the lens. The distance between these two positions of the lens is d.


                      • 6.
                        Two metal spheres of radii $r_1$ and $r_2$ ($> r_1$) having charges $q_1$ and $q_2$ respectively kept in air, are brought in contact. Which of the following statements is not correct ?

                          • The total charge of the two spheres is conserved.
                          • Both spheres attain the same potential.
                          • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2)}{(r_1 + r_2)}$
                          • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2) (r_1 + r_2)}{r_1 r_2}$
                        CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

                        Comments


                        No Comments To Show