To understand the concept of Drift Velocity, we should first understand what Drift is. Drift is the slow movement of an object toward something. The Average-Velocity attained by the charged particles in a material due to the influence of the electric field is known as the Drift Velocity. Drift Velocity is directly proportional to current. It is also directly proportional to the magnitude of the external electric field in a resistive material. Drift Velocity can be expressed in terms of Ohm’s law = μE Where,u represents the Drift Velocity,µ represents the Electron mobility, andE represents the electric field unit of these quantities is m/s, m2/ (V.s), and V/m respectively.
What is the Drift Velocity of an Electron?
When particles like Electrons attain the Average Velocity under the influence of an electric field is known as the Drift Velocity. It is assumed that the particle’s movement is along a plane, and hence the motion can be described as the axial Drift Velocity. The concept of Drift Velocity can be understood by studying the random motion of free Electrons moving around the conductor. These free Electrons keep on moving in the conductor in a disorganized way with random velocities. But when the conductor is subjected to an electric field, some kind of electrical force is applied to the randomly moving Electrons and in the direction of the field. The field forces the Electrons to switch towards high potential while maintaining the randomness of the motion. Scientifically we can express that the Electrons will Drift towards higher potentials by maintaining the random motions. Further, it has been observed that each Electron has its Velocity while they move towards the higher potential point of the conductor. This net Velocity is known as the Drift Velocity of Electrons. Since the movement of the Electron is known as the Drift Velocity, the current that is generated due to the Drift movement of the Electrons in the electrically charged conductor is known as the Drift current. Every current flowing through a conductor is known as Drift current. When the charged particles go around in a conductor, it is not in a straight line as they collide with other particles present in the conductor. Hence the Average speed of the particles in the conductor is taken into observation. This is known as Drift Velocity. Under the impact of the electric field, the Average Velocity is gained by the free Electrons due to which the Electrons Drift. Formula to calculate Drift Velocity using current density formula to evaluate Drift Velocity of the Electron in a conductor of constant cross-sectional area is given by: Drift Velocity formula v = I/nAq Where,v = represents the Drift Velocity of the Electrons I = represents the current flowing through the conductor and measured in Amperes. A = represents the area of the cross-section of the conductor measured in m2q = represents the charge of an Electron and measure in Coulombs n = represents the number of Electrons. Example of Drift Velocity As expressed in the formula above for the Drift Velocity, if out of the four quantities any three quantities are known, then the missing quantity can be found easily. Hence, the Drift Velocity of Electrons in a piece of metal displaying a current of 0.1 A will be around 1×10-5 m/s. Generally, the Electrons move at very high speeds of around a million m/s along a wire, but the Electron Drift or move very slowly in the direction of the current.
Quick Ways To Understand Drift Velocity
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