Drift Definition and 168 Threads

  1. E

    Electric circuit, drift velocity, battery

    Hello, This is a problem that is buzzing me around for quite sometime since I took fundamental physics course. Consider an electric circuit with one battery and one resistor. And ignore the internal resistance of the battery and the resistance of the wires. 1) Does battery supply...
  2. PainterGuy

    Understanding Drift and Diffusion Currents in PN Junctions

    hello everyone,:wink: is this definition correct? drift current is flow due to applied voltage across P-N junction & Diffusion is flow due to different concentration of hole & electron across P-N junction. warning: [i read this definition somewhere, hence not my own work] 1:-- the...
  3. G

    INS : Gyroscope errors : transport wander, apparent drift , coriolis effect ?

    can anyone please explain me following errors of gyroscopes used in inertial navigation systems of aircraft : a) what is transport wander , how actually it happens ? b) what is apparent drift in gyroscope ? c) what is coriolis effect and how it causes errors in gyroscopes ?
  4. K

    Solve Frictionless Drift Physics Problem: Angle of Inclination

    Homework Statement A physics student playing with an air hockey table (a frictionless surface) finds that if she gives the puck a velocity of 5.70 m/s along the length (2.28 m) of the table at one end, by the time it has reached the other end the puck has drifted 5.78 cm to the right but...
  5. S

    Exploring Diffusion & Drift in a Zero-Bias PN Junction

    consider we have a pn junction in zero bias. I am trying to find the equilibrium condition. As soon as a p-n junction is formed, electrons (present in conduction band) from the n-side near to the p-n interface diffuse to the p-side of the interface leaving donors in the region. Same thing...
  6. A

    Why Are Good Conductors of Heat Also Good Conductors of Electricity?

    why are good conductors of heat good conductors of electricity as well?
  7. A

    Current Density and Electron Drift Speed

    Homework Statement The current in a 1.5 mm X 1.5 mm square aluminum wire is 1.10 A. What are (a) the current density and (b) the electron drift speed? Homework Equations current density: J = I/A drift speed Vd = J/ne The Attempt at a Solution It's asking for an answer in MA/m^2...
  8. B

    Calculating Drift Velocity in Pure Silicon: Need Help

    I have a small question that can't solve. How long does it take an average electron to drift 1um in pure silicon in an electric field of 10^4 V/m ? drift velocity v_d = I / (n*q*A) but don't know how to calculate can you help me ? thank you.
  9. L

    Understanding Drift Current in a pn junction

    I'm having trouble fully conceptualizing drift current- what I always hear is that it is caused by minority carriers within one diffusion length of the junction being swept across by the electric field that is generated by the imbalance caused by diffusion of electrons. Here is what I am...
  10. M

    Electron Drift in Copper Wire: 40m in 0.020mm/s = Days?

    The drift speed of the electrons in a copper wire running from a battery to a light bulb and back is approximately 0.020 mm/s. The battery is at the front of the classroom and wire runs out of a perimeter of the room to the light bulb. The total length of wire is 40meters. How long would it take...
  11. A

    Drift Speed of the Conduction Electrons

    Homework Statement An aluminum wire with a diameter of 0.100 mm has a uniform electric field of 0.200 V/m imposed along its entire length. The temperature of the wire is 50.0 C. a) Determine resistivity b) Current density c) Total current d) Drift speed of the conduction electrons...
  12. M

    Mean drift velocity of a conduction electron in copper.

    Homework Statement Estimate the mean drift velocity of a conduction electron in copper, assuming that there is one conduction electron per atom. Consider No. 14 wire (diamter 0.16 cm), common in houses, carrying 5A. The result should be very small. Why then does an electric light turn on...
  13. Ivan Seeking

    Is scope drift always a bad thing in project management?

    For the last two+ years I've been involved in a project for a large company, that began as a back-of-a-napkin idea. I can't describe the project as it is all proprietary [customer] information, but the issue of scope drift is still interesting to consider. I will do my best not to be too...
  14. T

    Error in drift Formula of Current?

    Error in drift Formula of Current?? Drift velocity, vd = eEτ/me Drift velocity, as in the current formula I=nevdA should correspond to the average velocity with which the electrons are moving in the steady current, but the formula at top gives the mean FINAL velocity achieved by the...
  15. T

    Why don't we take drift velocity as the average velocity of electrons?

    Drift velocity, vd = eEτ/me Drift velocity, as in the current formula I=nevdA should correspond to the average velocity with which the electrons are moving in the steady current, but the formula at top gives the mean FINAL velocity achieved by the electrons in short spurts of time(mean...
  16. Y

    Help with concepts of Drift Velocity

    Homework Statement Attached to my forum is my homework. I need help with #9 and #10. I have no clue on where to start. Anything is helpful Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  17. A

    Calculate Drift Tube Length & Size for Accelerators

    I was wondering if anyone knew the formulas uses to calculate the length and size and spacings of the drift tubes used in accelerators, and the formula used to calculate the frequency the tube is driven at. Edit, looks like I put this in the wrong section, hopefully someone can move it.
  18. N

    Difution drift currect question

    J_e=q\mu \bar{n}E-qD_e\frac{d\bar{n}}{dx} i can't understand this equation what each member of this equation i only know that \mu is the drift coefficient E is the field what the rest of the memebers represent ?
  19. W

    Amatuer question about electron drift speed.

    I'm teaching myself some physics, and I am having some difficulty with the concept of drift speed. My book derived the time between collisions using ma=Eq and then substituting the acceleration into the first equation of kinematics and solving for v(final) as the drift speed. The time it...
  20. S

    North Atlantic Drift Current and Abrupt Climate Change

    There is a belief that a complete interruption of the North Atlantic drift current could cause abrupt climate change. The amount of heat transported by the North Atlantic drift current and the Gulf stream is 8 times smaller than the amount of heat transported by the atmosphere transferring...
  21. T

    Find Drift Speed of Electrons in Copper Wire | Tom

    Homework Statement I’m trying to find the drift speed of electrons in a copper wire. The length of the wire is 10 meters, temp is 60°C, current is 5 A and the total resistance of the wire is 0.05 ohms. Homework Equations # of charge carriers (n) = density * 6.02 x 10^23/molar mass...
  22. A

    Why Does qEt/m Represent Drift Speed in a Conductor?

    Homework Statement v=qEt/m t=time between each collision q=charge on particle m=mass of particle E=electric field Why is this the average velocity/drift speed in a conductor? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Doesn't qEt/m = the final velocity of the...
  23. N

    A paradox about Drift Velocity

    Hi! I was just reading about drift speed and I read that the speed is about 10^-4m/s. It then struck me that if electricity is carried by electrons, then in a given circuit, how is the light bulb lighting up so quickly when according to my calculations the time taken to travel 0.5 metres for...
  24. K

    Drift speed of electrons and holes in semiconductors

    I would request for help in understanding why the drift speed of electrons in semiconductors is more than that of holes. Thanks.
  25. T

    Simple drift speed probem driving me nuts

    Homework Statement A current of 200 mA flows in a silver wire of radius 0.8mm. Find (a) the drift speed of the electrons. (b) the number density of particles. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution The answer in the book is 1.07 x 10^-5, but I'm getting 1.06 x 10^-4. Can anyone tell me...
  26. M

    Op Amp Temp Drift: Minimizing Temperature Variations

    I'm using an opamp to amplify ac signals 40hz and up but there is still temperature drift, I thought drift was only a problem for dc signals? how do you get rid of temperature drift?
  27. O

    Relating Current Density and Drift Speed

    Homework Statement The figure shows wire section 1 of diameter 4R and wire section 2 of diameter 2R, connected by a tapered section. The wire is copper and carries a current. Assume that the current is uniformly distributed across any cross-sectional area through the wire's width. The electric...
  28. M

    Determining drift velocity of electrons at specific temperature

    Homework Statement A gold conductor with an electric field of 0.01 V/m applied, is 0.01 m long and 5.0E-5m in radius. Assuming one conduction electron per atom, what is the drift velocity of the electrons at a temperature of 20.0 degrees C? at 50 degrees C? Homework Equations I know that...
  29. J

    How Fast Do Electrons Drift in an Iron Wire?

    Homework Statement 1.0 * 10^20 electrons flow through a cross section of a 2.0-mm-diameter iron wire in 5.0 s. What is the electron drift speed? Homework Equations v_d = e*tao/m * E i_e = n_e * e * tao * A/m * E The Attempt at a Solution I can't seem to get very far. I think...
  30. D

    What is the drift speed of Na+ ions while the current flows?

    Homework Statement A. When current flows in an ionic solution, both negative and positive ions are charge carriers. In the dilute limit, the resistivity of the solution is inversely proportional to the concentration. For example, the resistivity of salt water solution at 25 °C is ρ =...
  31. S

    Discovering the Effect of Mercury Flow on Magnetic Field in a Helical Coil

    The electron drift velocity in a wire is about 0.1 mm/s. http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~vawter/PhysicsNet/Topics/DC-Current/Current.html If a coil were constructed from a helical nonconducting tube and filled with mercury such that if a current was passed through the mercury, a magnetic field would...
  32. S

    Drift velocity of electrons in n-doped silicon

    Homework Statement "A cylinder of n-doped silicon is 10mm long, has a diameter of 5 mm and is known to have a mobility \mu=0.15 m2V-1s-1. The resistance of the block measured along its length is 255 \Omega a) What is the resistivity of the silicon block? b) Estimate the electron carrier...
  33. Y

    Guiding Centre, curvature drift (astro phys)

    Take a 10 keV ion in the van Allen belts 1000km above Earth's surface in a dipole magnetic field of 100 Gauss. Estimate the grad-B and curvature drift if the particle is a proton and compare this drift with the gravitational drift. 3. I know all the formulas needed, but do not know what the...
  34. N

    Continental drift: effect on climate cycles

    I'd be interested in any ideas or theories or references on how the location of the continents is thought to affect global warming and cooling cycles. I previously read somewhere that the current position of the continents would cause different net solar heat absorption/reflection than prior...
  35. V

    How Do Recombination and Drift Current Influence Diode Operation?

    1.what is the link between recombination and drift current for the current flow process in a diode(1.for unbiased condition 2. for biased condition) at equilibrium. i have the feeling that both are same as i read that diffusion compensates drift at some places and at other places, diffusion...
  36. A

    How Does Light Impact Diffusion and Drift Current in Semiconductors?

    Homework Statement http://img223.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=79777_Untitled_122_69lo.jpg So for this setup i understand that the light generates EHP in the semiconductor and creates a concentration gradient which causes the electrons and holes to diffuse to the other side, so if the light is...
  37. S

    How to Calculate Drift Velocity in a Hall Effect Experiment?

    Homework Statement A thin metal film of length 1.00 cm, width of 0.250 cm, and thickness of 29.0 micrometers is used to measure the Hall effect. A current of 2.60 A is maintained along the length of the sample. The Hall voltage of 16.0 microVolts is detected across its width, when a magnetic...
  38. L

    Oscillating electron has drift velocity too?

    Just hoping you might explain the physics here for me. An electron is placed in an oscillating electric field, say, E = E_0\sin(\omega t) and as a result accelerates in x at, a = a_0\sin(\omega t) (grouped some constants in a_0). Solving for the resulting motion yields, x =...
  39. L

    What Are the Drift Speed and Current Density in Copper and Aluminum Wires?

    Homework Statement A piece of copper wire joins a piece of aluminum wire whose diameter is five times that of the copper. The same current flows in both wires. The density of conduction electrons in copper is 1.1 \times 1029 m-3 in aluminum it is 2.1\times1029 m-3. what is the drift speed...
  40. G

    How long does it take an electron to travel 150 km on a copper cable?

    Homework Statement A 150 km long high-voltage transmission line 2.0 cm in diameter carries a steady current of 1030 A. If the conductor is copper with a free charge density of 8.9 1028 electrons per cubic meter, how many years does it take one electron to travel the full length of the cable...
  41. I

    What Exactly is a Low drift sample and hold?

    I realize a sample and hold is used in digital control whereby the circuit holds the analogue value steady for a short time while the converter or other following system performs some operation over that held time. However what does it mean by having low drift?
  42. J

    Q on satellite orbits + orbital drift

    Im aware that due to the oblate nature of the Earth, the satellite's line of apside and line of nodes rotate according to the following formulas (where i = angle of inclination of orbit to Earth and K is mean motion per day) Variance in right ascension of ascending node (\Omega) due to...
  43. B

    Mentor.com - What is 'Drift' in Strain Gauges?

    when talking about strain gauges, what does 'drift' refer to exactly?
  44. O

    Determining current and drift speed

    [SOLVED] Determining current and drift speed Homework Statement http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/145/problemrg5.jpg The two wires in the above figure are made of the same material. What are the current and the electron drift speed in the 2.0mm-diameter segment of the wire. Homework...
  45. E

    Drift Velocity, TCR, and Atomic/ Weight Percentages

    Homework Statement I'm taking a metrials class, and there are 2 questions I'm not sure how to do. I would see the professor first, but he refuses helping students until the assignments is submitted. 1) A circular tungsten (W) wire that is 0.1m long and 1mm in diameter has 9V dropped across...
  46. P

    Another Current and Drift Velocity Question

    [SOLVED] Another Current and Drift Velocity Question 1. A car's starter motor draws 50 A from the car's battery during startup. If the startup time is 1.5 s, how many electrons pass a given location in the circuit during that time? 3.As current = rate of flow of charge, I = q/t...
  47. P

    Current and Drift Velocity (multiple choice)

    [SOLVED] Current and Drift Velocity (multiple choice) 1. In a dental X-ray machine, the movement of accelerated electrons is east. The current associated with these electrons is in what direction: (a) east, (b) west, or (c) zero? 3. At first I thought it was B (west) because...
  48. L

    Nonrelativistic perihelion drift, best references ?

    Hello, I have found several overviews on the classical perihelion drift calculation from the planets perturbations. However, I could not identify what the best reference would be. I am -of course- interrested by those calculations that garantee a precision compatible with the discussion...
  49. N

    What is the unique drift speed for a charged particle in crossed E and B fields?

    Homework Statement I am working on a problem and don't know if I am going about it right because I am stuck. A charged particle of mass m and positive charge q moves in uniform electric and magnetic fields, E pointing in the y direction and B in the z direction (an arrangement called "crossed...
  50. L

    WHY is drift current through a PN junction independent of applied bias voltages?

    I have looked all over in many textbooks and I cannot find a decent explanation of this. Most textbooks simply say that it is independent of applied bias because all of the minority carriers generated by thermal energy within a diffusion length of the depletion region will essentially get swept...
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