When electrons drift in a metal from lower to higher potential, does it mean that all the free electrons of the metal are moving in the same direction?

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Solution

When electrons drift in a metal from lower to higher potential , it does not mean that all the free electrons are moving in the same direction . What happens , only drift velocity of free electrons is superimposed on the thermal velocity of electrons in the opposite direction of electric field , the gain of velocity due to applied electric field takes place only for a very short time .

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