Chapter 26: Problem 29
A potential difference of \(3.00 \mathrm{nV}\) is set up across a \(2.00 \mathrm{~cm}\) length of copper wire that has a radius of \(2.00 \mathrm{~mm} .\) How much charge drifts through a cross section in \(3.00 \mathrm{~ms} ?\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The charge that drifts through the wire is approximately \(3.3 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{C}\).
Step by step solution
01
Determine the Cross-sectional Area of Wire
The cross-sectional area of a cylindrical wire is given by the formula \( A = \pi r^2 \), where \( r \) is the radius of the wire. First, convert the radius from millimeters to meters: \( r = 2.00 \, \text{mm} = 2.00 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{m} \). Then calculate the area: \( A = \pi (2.00 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{m})^2 \approx 1.26 \times 10^{-5} \, \text{m}^2 \).
02
Calculate the Electric Field
The electric field \( E \) is determined by the formula \( E = \frac{V}{L} \), where \( V = 3.00 \, \text{nV} = 3.00 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{V} \) and \( L = 2.00 \, \text{cm} = 2.00 \times 10^{-2} \, \text{m} \). Hence, the electric field is \( E = \frac{3.00 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{V}}{2.00 \times 10^{-2} \, \text{m}} = 1.50 \times 10^{-7} \, \text{V/m} \).
03
Find the Drift Velocity
Drift velocity \( v_d \) is given by \( v_d = \frac{I}{nqA} \), where \( n \) is the charge carrier density, \( q \) is the charge of an electron \( = 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{C} \). First, find \( n \) for copper which is approximately \( 8.5 \times 10^{28} \text{m}^{-3} \). To find current \( I \), we use the relation \( I = \, nqAv_d \) which further relates with \( J = \sigma E \) where \( J = \frac{I}{A} \) and \( \sigma \) is the conductivity of copper (approximately \( 5.8 \times 10^7 \text{S/m} \)). Substitute \( E \) to find: \( J = \sigma E \Rightarrow v_d = \frac{\sigma E}{nq} \).
04
Compute the Current
Substituting known values into the formula \( v_d = \frac{\sigma E}{nq} \), we have: \( v_d = \frac{5.8 \times 10^7 \, \text{S/m} \times 1.50 \times 10^{-7} \, \text{V/m}}{8.5 \times 10^{28} \, \text{m}^{-3} \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{C}} \approx 6.4 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{m/s} \). Using \( I = nqAv_d \), find \( I \) as: \( I = 8.5 \times 10^{28} \, \text{m}^{-3} \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{C} \times 1.26 \times 10^{-5} \, \text{m}^2 \times 6.4 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{m/s} \approx 1.1 \times 10^{-8} \, \text{A} \).
05
Calculate the Charge
Use the formula \( Q = It \) to find the charge, where \( I = 1.1 \times 10^{-8} \, \text{A} \) and \( t = 3.00 \, \text{ms} = 3.00 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{s} \). Substituting these values, we get \( Q = 1.1 \times 10^{-8} \, \text{A} \times 3.00 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{s} = 3.3 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{C} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Drift Velocity
Drift velocity is a key concept in understanding electric current. It refers to the average velocity that a charge carrier, such as an electron, attains due to an electric field. While individual charges move randomly, drift velocity provides a measure of the net velocity of all charges in a conductor under the influence of an electric field.
To calculate drift velocity, the formula \( v_d = \frac{I}{nqA} \) is used, where:
To calculate drift velocity, the formula \( v_d = \frac{I}{nqA} \) is used, where:
- \( I \) is the current
- \( n \) is the charge density
- \( q \) is the elementary charge (approximately \( 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \) C)
- \( A \) is the cross-sectional area of the conductor
Charge Density
Charge density refers to the amount of electric charge per unit volume in a material. It is a crucial factor when determining the behavior of electric currents in materials such as metals.
In the formula for drift velocity \( v_d = \frac{I}{nqA} \), \( n \) represents the charge density, specifically the number of free charge carriers (like electrons) per unit volume. For copper, \( n \) is typically around \( 8.5 \times 10^{28} \text{m}^{-3} \).
Understanding charge density is important for:
In the formula for drift velocity \( v_d = \frac{I}{nqA} \), \( n \) represents the charge density, specifically the number of free charge carriers (like electrons) per unit volume. For copper, \( n \) is typically around \( 8.5 \times 10^{28} \text{m}^{-3} \).
Understanding charge density is important for:
- Predicting how a material will conduct electricity
- Relating macroscopic properties like drift velocity to microscopic properties like charge density
- Designing and improving electronic components for efficiency and performance
Electric Field
The electric field is a fundamental concept in electromagnetism, representing a region where an electric force is experienced by charge carriers. It is described by the amount of force per charge unit and is integral to understanding how charges move in a circuit.
In our exercise, the electric field \( E \) was calculated using the formula:\[ E = \frac{V}{L} \]where:
For example, with a potential difference of \( 3.00 \times 10^{-9} \text{V} \) across \( 2.00 \times 10^{-2} \text{m} \), the electric field is \( 1.50 \times 10^{-7} \text{V/m} \).
Electric fields play a vital role in:
In our exercise, the electric field \( E \) was calculated using the formula:\[ E = \frac{V}{L} \]where:
- \( V \) is the potential difference
- \( L \) is the length over which this potential difference is applied
For example, with a potential difference of \( 3.00 \times 10^{-9} \text{V} \) across \( 2.00 \times 10^{-2} \text{m} \), the electric field is \( 1.50 \times 10^{-7} \text{V/m} \).
Electric fields play a vital role in:
- Determining the direction and rate of charge flow through a material
- Influencing the drift velocity of charge carriers
- Shaping the behavior and efficiency of electronic circuits and components