Question

Calculate the drift velocity (in m/s) of electrons in a 14 gauge silver wire (which has a diameter of 1.627 mm) carrying a 16.6 A current, given that there is one free electron per silver atom. The density of silver is 1.05 ✕ 104 kg/m3. (Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer.)

Answer 1

Drift velocity of electrons = Current/(Electron Density*Charge of the electron * Area of the wire)

Area is

charge of electron is

electron density in silver is

n =(1 e^-/atom) x (6.02 x10²³ atoms/mol) x (1mole/107.9 g) x (1000 g/Kg) x (1.05 x10⁴ kg/m³)

this gives

Therefore the drift velocity is