Moving electrons vs. current flow
Prepared For: Public User
Static File last modified 7/11/06 Content Selector
See Previous
MISCONCEPTIONS
See Next
Need for oxygen in oxidation
Although turning a switch in one place can result in having electrons flow instantaneously in wires miles away, the electrons do not move at the 'speed of light.'

A myth about electric currents:

"First of all, sending currents in a wire means there are the movement of electrons in the wire. It's been decided by an unfortunate historical event that currents run toward the direction that is the opposite of electrons. This fact itself is not a serious problem. Since electrons' movement explanation leads us to a complicated phase in the quantum theory, we will not discuss further this issue.

The movement of electrons is relative to how we look. If we [could] stop and look at electrons in a wire, we [might] see the electrons moving. But if we move at the same speed as the moving electrons, they should look static. Since their movement is not so fast, it's not an impossible task.

Now, if electrons look static from us, does that mean currents do not exist? If not, does a magnetic field exist around them? Can we say a magnetic field disappears as we move?

Drift velocity of charge carriers from hyperphysics.

"Although your light turns on very quickly when you flip the switch, and you find it impossible to flip off the light and get in bed before the room goes dark, the actual drift velocity of electrons through copper wires is very slow. It is the change or "signal" which propagates along wires at essentially the speed of light."

Hyperphysics is a great resource.

Gr
This page is static.
Report problems to dbrooks1@unl.edu.