Electron Drift Speed Simulation
Example 3.1: Electron Drift in Copper Wire
This simulation demonstrates the drift speed of conduction electrons in a copper wire carrying current.
Drift Speed Formula
vd = I / (n × e × A)
Where:
I = Current (1.5 A)
n = Electron density (8.5 × 10²⁸ m⁻³)
e = Electron charge (1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C)
A = Cross-sectional area (1.0 × 10⁻⁷ m²)
Drift speed (vd):
0 mm/s
Current (I):
1.5 A
Electron density (n):
8.5 × 10²⁸ m⁻³
Speed Comparison
Drift speed:
1.1 mm/s
Thermal speed:
200 m/s
Electric field:
3 × 10⁸ m/s
Calculations
n = (6.0 × 10²³ / 63.5) × 9.0 × 10⁶ = 8.5 × 10²⁸ m⁻³
vd = 1.5 / (8.5 × 10²⁸ × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ × 1.0 × 10⁻⁷)
vd = 1.1 × 10⁻³ m/s = 1.1 mm/s
