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No. Three types of speed must be distinguished here:
1. The random movement of electrons is pretty fast, but still only a fraction of the speed of light. They will have this movement, whether there is a current or not.
2. The drift velocity is the average velocity of electrons when there is a current. This velocity is typically a fraction of a millimeter per second.
3. The velocity of the electric signal itself is typically about 2/3 the speed of light in a vacuum (that is, about 200,000 km/sec). What happens here is that energy is transferred from one electron to another. Imagine one electron bumping into another and pushing it forwards.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Electrons do not move at the speed of light through conductors. In reality, they move much slower, at an average drift velocity of a few centimeters per hour. The speed of electricity in a conductor is determined by the flow of charge, not the speed of individual electrons.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThat statement is inaccurate. They move slower than that.
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Is an electric current a movement of electrons at near the speed of light?
No, electric current is the flow of electrons through a conductor, but the individual electrons do not move at near the speed of light. Instead, the speed of electron movement in a conductor is typically much slower.
What is it that travels through an electric circuit at nearly the speed of light?
the wave front of electric current. the electrons themselves move much slower but they keep pushing electrons ahead of them on resulting in a wavefront that moves at almost the speed of light.
Do protons travel through an electric circuit at or near the speed of light?
No, protons do not travel through an electric circuit at or near the speed of light. In a circuit, electrons are the charge carriers that move through the wires at speeds much slower than the speed of light. Protons typically remain within the nucleus of an atom and do not move freely in a circuit.
Why are electrons travel at greater than speed of light in television?
They don't. Nothing can exceed the speed of light. Electrons in a television travel much slower than the speed of light.
Can electrons move slower than the speed of light?
They can ONLY move slower than the speed of light.
Object traveling through the speed of light?
Electrons are able to travel close to speed of light.
Why is the speed of electricity not equal to the speed of light?
The speed of electricity in a wire is slower because it is limited by the material it flows through and the interactions between electrons. In contrast, light travels through a vacuum at the maximum speed limit in the universe, which is the speed of light.
Are calculators at the speed of light?
A calculator can only operate as fast as the electrons that carry the current through its circuits. Electrons have mass, and mass can never travel at the speed of light; therefore, calculators do not operate at the speed of light.
What is it that travels through an electric circuit at nearly the speed of light?
the wave front of electric current. the electrons themselves move much slower but they keep pushing electrons ahead of them on resulting in a wavefront that moves at almost the speed of light.
Is an electric current a movement of electrons at near the speed of light?
No, electric current is the flow of electrons through a conductor, but the individual electrons do not move at near the speed of light. Instead, the speed of electron movement in a conductor is typically much slower.
Speed of light travels at minimum?
In general, light propagates at c, the speed of light (that is, 299,792,458m/s), however when travelling through a medium such as an optical fibre, this will decrease, but will still travel at a constant speed dependent upon values such as the materials permittivity and permeability. Light travels easiest through insulating mediums, and cannot travel far through conductors.
Do protons travel through an electric circuit at or near the speed of light?
No, protons do not travel through an electric circuit at or near the speed of light. In a circuit, electrons are the charge carriers that move through the wires at speeds much slower than the speed of light. Protons typically remain within the nucleus of an atom and do not move freely in a circuit.
How fast do electrons travel?
In wires and other conductors, electrons travel very slowly. They drift along at molasses speeds, like 1 mm/sec. In vacuum tubes, electrons travel more quickly, around 1% of the speed of light. But the speed of the electrons isn't really important for circuits. What matters is the speed of electric field waves. These waves travel down the wire almost up to the speed of light, and they are responsible for the "instantaneous" effects we see from electricity. Think of a wave traveling across the surface of a slow-moving river, or the speed at which sound waves travel through slow-moving air. Waves can travel much faster than the medium that carries them.
Why are electrons travel at greater than speed of light in television?
They don't. Nothing can exceed the speed of light. Electrons in a television travel much slower than the speed of light.
How fast do electric currents move?
Electric currents move at speeds close to the speed of light, typically around 60-80% of the speed of light in most conductors. However, it's important to note that it is the energy that is carried by the electric current that propagates quickly, not the individual electrons themselves.
Which travels fastest through a medium a photon atom sound or electron?
A photon travels fastest through a medium, followed by sound, then electrons. Photons travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, which is faster than the speed of sound or electrons in a medium. Sound travels at a much slower speed than light, while electrons generally move at speeds that are significantly slower than both photons and sound waves.
Is the speed of light faster than the speed of electrons?
yes, of course.
