Expert: Steve Johnson - 4/27/2006

Question
 When an electric current flows through a long conductor, each free electron moves

  A. from one end of the conductor to the other end.
   B. with a speed of 300,000,000 m/s.
   C. back and forth between the ends of the conductor.
   D. through a relatively short distance.
       
    
 If the resistance of an electric circuit is 12 ohms and the voltage in the circuit is 60 V, the current flowing through the circuit is

  A. 0.2 A.
   B. 5 A.
   C. 60 A.
   D. 720 A.
       
    
Electrons are emitted from a conductor when the conductor is ?  

Answer
Hello Kevin,

An example in my old Physics book says that in a copper wire carrying 10 amps, the drift speed of the average free electron is .036 cm/sec. I would say D is a good answer.


Per Ohm's Law I = V / R. You have the V and R so all you need is to divide.

I hope that helps.
Steve