Derive the relation between drift velocity and current density.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Consider a conductor of cross-sectional area $A$ in which an electric field $\vec{E}$ is applied. Due to this field,free electrons experience a force and drift in the opposite direction of $\vec{E}$ with a drift velocity $v_d$.
In a small time interval $\Delta t$,the distance covered by the electrons is $\Delta x = |v_d| \Delta t$.
The volume of the cylindrical element containing these electrons is $V = A \Delta x = A |v_d| \Delta t$.
If $n$ is the number density of free electrons (number of electrons per unit volume),then the total number of electrons $N$ in this volume is $N = n V = n A |v_d| \Delta t$.
The total charge $\Delta Q$ passing through the cross-section in time $\Delta t$ is $\Delta Q = N e = n A e |v_d| \Delta t$,where $e$ is the magnitude of the charge of an electron.
The current $I$ is given by $I = \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t} = n A e |v_d|$.
Since current density $J = \frac{I}{A}$,we have $J = \frac{n A e |v_d|}{A} = n e |v_d|$.
In vector form,since electrons drift opposite to the electric field,$\vec{J} = -n e \vec{v}_d$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ wire has a non-uniform cross-section as shown in the figure. $A$ steady current flows through it. The drift speed of electrons at points $P$ and $Q$ is $v_P$ and $v_Q$ respectively.

Current density in a cylindrical wire of radius $R$ is given as $J = \begin{cases} J_0 \left( \frac{x}{R} - 1 \right) & 0 \leqslant x < \frac{R}{2} \\ J_0 \frac{x}{R} & \frac{R}{2} \leqslant x \leqslant R \end{cases}$. The current flowing in the wire is:

Explain the mobility of a charge carrier in a conductor and derive its equation.

If a current of $80 \ A$ is passing through a straight conductor of length $10 \ m$,then the total momentum of electrons in the conductor is (mass of electron $= 9.1 \times 10^{-31} \ kg$ and charge of electron $= 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \ C$).

When the current $i$ is flowing through a conductor,the drift velocity is $v$. If $2i$ current is flowed through the same metal but having double the area of cross-section,then the drift velocity will be

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo