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To understand what really happens, imagine a very thin wire, one atom thick. Further imagine that we can label these atoms individually, so that a particular very small section of wire looks like -A-B-C-D-.
An electron comes in from the left. That pushes one of atom A's electrons over to atom B, which in turn pushes one of atom B's electrons to atom C, and so on.
In a real wire, the electric impulse... the net flow of electrons... happens at, effectively, the speed of light (in whatever material the wire is made of). However, any individual electron moves at most very slowly through the wire. This slow movement is called the "drift velocity."
In a 3 ampere current flowing through an 18 gauge wire, electrons have a drift velocity of about a meter per hour.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
An electron travels through a circuit by moving in response to an electric field created by a voltage source. The flow of electrons is guided through the circuit's components, such as wires and resistors, completing a loop back to the voltage source. This movement of electrons is what generates electric current in the circuit.
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How does an electron travel through a parallel circuit?
In a parallel circuit, the electron can flow through multiple pathways simultaneously due to separate branches with their own components. This allows electrons to travel through the path of least resistance, ensuring a constant flow of current throughout the circuit.
In a circuit electrons travel in?
In a circuit, electrons travel in a closed loop from the negative terminal of the voltage source, through the various components in the circuit (such as resistors, capacitors, and light bulbs), and back to the positive terminal of the voltage source. This continuous flow of electrons is what allows the circuit to function and for electrical energy to be transferred.
How could you slow down electron flow?
You can slow down electron flow by increasing resistance in the circuit, using resistors for example. By increasing the obstruction to electron flow, you reduce the rate at which electrons can move through the circuit. Additionally, lowering the voltage in the circuit will also slow down electron flow.
Does the same electron move in the whole circuit?
No, electrons move in a circuit in a continuous flow called an electric current. Electrons move from the negative terminal of the battery, through the circuit components, and return to the positive terminal. Each electron only moves a short distance within the circuit before passing its energy to the next electron.
In a circuit what do electrons travel in?
In a circuit, electrons travel through a conductive path typically made of materials like copper wires. The movement of electrons creates an electric current that powers the circuit components.
How does an electron travel through a parallel circuit?
In a parallel circuit, the electron can flow through multiple pathways simultaneously due to separate branches with their own components. This allows electrons to travel through the path of least resistance, ensuring a constant flow of current throughout the circuit.
What is cathode and anode?
cathode is electron negative but anode is positiveAnswerFor electrochemical cells, electrons travel through the external circuit from the anode to the cathode.
In a circuit electrons travel in?
In a circuit, electrons travel in a closed loop from the negative terminal of the voltage source, through the various components in the circuit (such as resistors, capacitors, and light bulbs), and back to the positive terminal of the voltage source. This continuous flow of electrons is what allows the circuit to function and for electrical energy to be transferred.
What is closed pathway through which electricity can travel?
a circuit.
What kind of circuit can electricity travel through?
"closed"
How could you slow down electron flow?
You can slow down electron flow by increasing resistance in the circuit, using resistors for example. By increasing the obstruction to electron flow, you reduce the rate at which electrons can move through the circuit. Additionally, lowering the voltage in the circuit will also slow down electron flow.
Does the same electron move in the whole circuit?
No, electrons move in a circuit in a continuous flow called an electric current. Electrons move from the negative terminal of the battery, through the circuit components, and return to the positive terminal. Each electron only moves a short distance within the circuit before passing its energy to the next electron.
What determines the current in each branch of parallel of circuit?
The resistance of the component on that branch of the circuit, if the resistance is higher less of a proportion of the total current of the circuit will travel through that branch, however, if the resistance is low a higher proportion of the current will travel through that branch of the circuit. The voltage through each branch stays the same.
What determines the current ine each branch of parallel of circuit?
The resistance of the component on that branch of the circuit, if the resistance is higher less of a proportion of the total current of the circuit will travel through that branch, however, if the resistance is low a higher proportion of the current will travel through that branch of the circuit. The voltage through each branch stays the same.
In a circuit what do electrons travel in?
In a circuit, electrons travel through a conductive path typically made of materials like copper wires. The movement of electrons creates an electric current that powers the circuit components.
Why electron travel through the vacuum and not travel through the air?
Electrons can travel through a vacuum because there are no atoms or molecules to collide with, allowing them to move freely. In air, electrons collide with the molecules present, which disrupts their movement and prevents them from traveling efficiently.
Why does not it matter where you measure the current in a simple circuit?
The current measured at any point in a simple circuit will be the same because current is the measure of electron flow through a circuit. The current flowing through any branch of any circuit (or an entire simple circuit) will always be the same at any point.
