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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.
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ProfessorAn 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.
