Electrons are really quantum entities, but the more accurate quantum picture is not necessary in this explanation.
#Speed of sound vs speed of light free#
In the context of typical electric currents in metal wires, free electrons can be thought of as little balls bouncing around in the grid of fixed, heavy atoms that make up the metal wire. Electric currents in metal wires are formed by free electrons that are moving. In order to understand each of these speeds and why they are all different and yet physically meaningful, we need to understand the basics of electric currents.
In the case of electrical currents traveling through metal wires, there are three different velocities present, all of them physically meaningful: I will assume we are referring to a current of electrical charge traveling through a metal wire, such as through the power cord of a lamp. This word is very general and basically means, "all things relating to electric charge". The speed of electricity really depends on what you mean by the word "electricity". Public Domain Image, source: Christopher S. Electromagnetic energy and information travel down a wire at close to the speed of light.
0 kommentar(er)
