Q. 7

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Found in: Page 762

### Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics

Book edition 4th
Author(s) Randall D. Knight
Pages 1240 pages
ISBN 9780133942651

# A electric field creates a electrons/s current in a diameter aluminum wire. What are (a) the drift speed and (b) the mean time between collisions for electrons in this wire?

a. The drift speed is

b. The mean time between collisions for electrons in this wire is

See the step by step solution

## Step 1: Given Information (Part a)

Electric field

Timeelectron/s

Aluminum wire diameter

## Step 2: Explanation (Part a)

The drift speed can be found as

Since the cross-section is a circle, the area is ,

Substitute the values,

## Step 3: Final Answer (Part a)

Hence, the drift speed is

## Step 4: Given Information (Part b)

Electric field

Time electron/s

Aluminum wire diameter

## Step 5: Explanation (Part b)

We Know the drift speed, we can find the mean time as,

However, if we trust our previous solution, we could use the parametric solution in place of

## Step 6: Final Answer (Part b)

Hence, the mean time between collisions for electrons in this wire is