Question

Estimate the average drift speed of conduction electrons in a copper wire of cross-sectional area $1.0\times {10}^{-7}{m}^2$carrying a current of $1.5A$. Assume the density of conduction electrons to be $9\times {10}^{28}{m}^{-3}$.

Answer 1

Since, drift velocity, $v_d=\frac{I}{nAq}$

where,

$I$ is the current,

$n$ is the charge density,

$q$ is charge of the electron, and

$A$ is cross-sectional area.

$v_d=\frac{1.5}{9\times {10}^{28}\times 1.0\times {10}^{-7}\times 1.6\times {10}^{-19}}$

$v_d=10.4\times {10}^{-4}m/s$