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Question

Explain the term 'drift velocity' of electrons in a conductor. Hence obtain the expression for the current through a conductor in terms of 'drift velocity'.

Solution
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The average velocity of all the free electrons in the conductor is called the drift velocity of free electrons of the conductor. When a conductor is connected to a source of emf an electric field is established in the conductor, such that E=VL
When V= potential difference across the conductor and L=length of the conductor
The electric field exerts an electrostatics force 'Ee' on each free electron in the conductor
The acceleration of each electron is given by
¯a=eEm
Where, e=electric charge on the electron and
m=mass of electron
Acceleration and electric field are in opposite directions, so the electrons attain a velocity in addition to thermal velocity in the direction opposite to that of electric field.
vd=cEmτ...............(i)
E=VL...........(ii)
Where τ=relaxation time between two successive collision
Let n=number density of electrons in the conductor
N0. of free electrons in the conductor =nAL
Total charge on the conductor , q=nALe
Time taken by this charge to cover the length L of the conductor,
t=Lvd
Current I=qt
=nALeL×vd
=nAevd
Using equation (i) and (ii), we get that
I=nAe×(e(V)mLτ)
=(ne2AmLτ)V

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