- #1
mrlucky0
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Homework Statement
A potential difference is applied between the electrodes in a gas discharge tube. In 2.0 s, 3.3*10^16 electrons and 1.2*10^16 singly charged positive ions move in opposite directions through a surface perpendicular to the length of the tube. What is the current in the tube?
Homework Equations
I = C/T
The Attempt at a Solution
I reason that the current is in the direction of the movement of the positive ions:
I = { 1.2E16 positive ions * 1.60E-19 C / 1 positive ion } / 2 seconds
= 9.6E-4 A
However the above is not the correct solution, and neither is when I use 3.3E16, the number of electrons. I think I'm not understanding a concept here.