1 Answer
Drift velocity refers to the average velocity of charged particles, such as electrons, in a conductor when an electric field is applied. It is called "drift" velocity because the charged particles move in a certain direction due to the electric field, but their motion is not like a random "bumping around" or thermal motion. Instead, it is more like a slow "drift" in the direction of the electric field.
Here's a simpler breakdown:
So, the term "drift" comes from the fact that the electrons are slowly "drifting" through the material in response to the electric field. It’s much slower than the random thermal motion of the electrons, which is much faster but in random directions.
Here's a simpler breakdown:
- When an electric field is applied to a conductor (like a wire), it exerts a force on the free electrons inside the material.
- These electrons don't move in a straight line because they are constantly colliding with atoms, which causes them to scatter in random directions.
- Despite this random scattering, on average, the electrons tend to move in the direction of the electric field, which is the drift velocity.
So, the term "drift" comes from the fact that the electrons are slowly "drifting" through the material in response to the electric field. It’s much slower than the random thermal motion of the electrons, which is much faster but in random directions.