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
Answered by Dojcin D. Physics tutor

71865 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A small ball is projected with speed 15 m/s at an angle of 60 degrees above the horizontal. Find the distance from the point of projection of the ball at the instant when it is travelling horizontally.


What is "half-life"?


What velocity should your boat have if you want to cross a 72m wide river in 6s by the shortest distance, with a 5 m/s downstream current?


On a speed/time graph: a) how would a constant deceleration be illustrated? b) how would you use the graph to calculate total distance travelled?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning