Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 23 - Reading Check Questions (Comprehension) - Page 446-447: 21

Answer

Drift velocity is the effective velocity of the electrons that comprise an electric current.

Work Step by Step

Figure 23.14 is helpful. An electron normally moves at about $\frac{1}{200}$ the speed of light, and performs a random walk through the metal, making no net progress in any direction. When an electric field is established, driving an electric current, the path is altered as shown in the Figure. After a certain period of time, the electron has made more progress in one particular direction than it would have otherwise. That effective speed down the wire is known as the drift velocity, and is tiny: perhaps 0.0001 m/s in a typical dc circuit. This is discussed on page 439.
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