quick question???

[gavindrummond]

Electrons in a conductor have no motion in the absence of a potential difference across it???

I know it's a simple question but I don't know if I'm thinking it all wrong?

My understanding is electrons are loosely bound to a nucleus and are free to move randomly from one to another within a material but it's only when voltage is present that they all move in any one given direction.

 

[johninlondon1]

Correct

 

[Sidewinder]

They have no drift, but they still orbit the nucleus of the atom.

 

[gavindrummond]

I though the electrons still move from one nucleus to another that's what makes it a conductor whilst insulators hold its electrons tight to the nucleus

 

[Sidewinder]

Not quite.

In conductors the electrons are "free" to move in the presence of a potential difference.

They don't voluntarily move from one atom to another without an external input as this requires energy, which has to come from somewhere.

 

[gavindrummond]

Ok that clears thinks in my mind now. I must have been reading it wrong lol thanks sidewinder

 

[karlb]

When I did an electronics module at uni my lecturer said that we had to think of the electrons as squirrels and the potential difference as dogs. I.e when there was potential difference (the dogs) the electrons move (squirrels running away)....

 

[gavindrummond]

Lmao awesome but at least you got it