Sierra Estep

Pd 2

5.1 Electron drift questions

I = nAqv

1. Iron has 1.7 ◊ 1029 electrons per cubic metre. Estimate the size of current produced if electrons in
an iron wire of diameter 1 mm drift at about 10−4 m s−1. The magnitude of the charge of an electron
is 1.60 × 10−19 C.

A = π r2 = π (0.0005)2
A = 7.85 x 10­7 m2 , n = 1.7x 1029 ,  q = 1.6 x 10­19 ,  v = 10­4
I = nAqv = (7.85 x 10­7 )(1.7x 1029 )(1.6 x 10­19 )(10­4 ) = 2.14 A

2.Use the formula above to decide if the following statements are true or false;

a. The drift velocity of electrons in a wire is proportional to the current that flows in a wire.

True: can be rearranged as v=I/nAq, I and v are proportional.

b. For a material such as copper, which has a high concentration of free electrons, the drift velocity
is less than for a material with a lower concentration.

True: Because there are more electrons in copper, there is less space to move and the electrons
move more slowly.

c. If a current flows from a thick copper wire into a thinner copper wire, the electrons will slow
down (their drift speed will decrease).

ngI
False: The variables are inversely proportional, because it can be rewritten as A =v, so they will
speed up in the thinner wire.

3. Calculate the drift velocity of electrons in a copper wire of cross-sectional area 1 mm2 when a current
of 2.5 A flows through it (for copper n = 8.5 x 1028 m-3)

A = 0.001 , n = 8.5 x 1028 ,  q = 1.6 x 10­19 ,  I = 2.5

I = nAqv
2.5 = (8.5 x 1028 )(0.001)(1.6 x 10­19 )v
v = 1.84 x 10­7  m/s  
 Sierra Estep
Pd 2
4. An electron is accelerated by a potential difference of 500 V. The work done on the electron is
converted to kinetic energy as the electron accelerates. Calculate the speed reached by the accelerated
electron.

√
2qV
v= m  

2(1.6 x 10­19   )(500)
   v =
√ 9.12 x 10­24
 = 4.18 x 105  m/s  

5. A proton is also accelerated by a potential difference of 500V. Calculate the speed it reaches.

√
2qV
v= m  

2(1.6 x 10­19 )(500)
v=
√ 1.64 x 10­24
 = 9.79 x 103  m/s  

6. An electron is accelerated by a potential difference of 4000 V. What energy does it gain in eV? How
many Joules is that?

V=W/q, 4000=W/ 1.6 x 10­19 ,  W = 6.4 x 10­16 eV

1 eV = 1.6 × 10­ 19

,  so (6.4 × 10­
16
)(1.6 × 10­
19
) ,  1.02 × 10­
34 
j