Question
Estimate the average drift speed of conduction electrons in a copper wire of cross-sectional area 1.0 x 10–7 m2 carrying a current of 1.5 A. Assume the density of conduction electrons to be 9 x 1028 m–3.
Solution
Area of cross-section, A = 1.0 x 10–7 m2
Current = 1.5 A
Density of conduction electrons = 9 x 1028 m–3
Drift velocity of electrons is given by,