Derive I = nAVe

Over 1 second, electrons with drift velocity V travel through a wire of  cross sectional area A. Distance Vt (t = 1) multiplied by area A gives a volume AV. This volume multiplied by the electron density of the material n, gives the number of electrons in volume V, nAV. The charge in the volume of material is found by multiplying the number of electrons by the elementary charge e, nAVe. This is the amount of charge passing through the wire every second, or current I. Therefore, I = nAVe

DD

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is meant by the binding energy of a nucleus?


A cannon is fired at 30 degrees from the ground and the cannonball has initial velocity of 15 m/s. What is the height of the highest point the cannonball reaches and how far is this point horizontally from the cannon?


Describe how the strong nuclear force between nucleons varies with seperation of the nucleons.


Explain the photoelectric effect, when does it occur and what is its significance in understanding the nature of light ? (6)