1. What is Drift Velocity?

Drift velocity is the average velocity attained by charged particles (like electrons) in a material due to an electric field. In conductors, it represents how fast electrons move on average when a voltage is applied.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the drift velocity formula:

Where:

• \( v_d \) — Drift velocity (m/s)
• \( I \) — Current (Amperes)
• \( n \) — Charge carrier density (1/m³)
• \( q \) — Charge of electron (1.6 × 10^-19 C)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)

Explanation: The formula shows that drift velocity is directly proportional to current and inversely proportional to charge carrier density and conductor cross-section.

3. Importance of Drift Velocity

Details: Understanding drift velocity helps in designing electrical circuits, selecting appropriate wire gauges, and analyzing current flow in semiconductors and conductors.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes, electron density in particles/m³, and cross-sectional area in m². All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is drift velocity typically very small?
A: Despite fast random motion, the net movement of electrons in a direction is slow due to frequent collisions with atoms (about mm/s range in copper wires).

Q2: How does drift velocity relate to current?
A: Higher drift velocity means more charge passes through per second, resulting in higher current for given conductor properties.

Q3: What affects drift velocity in a material?
A: It depends on applied voltage, material resistivity, temperature, and charge carrier density.

Q4: Why does smaller wire increase drift velocity?
A: For same current, reduced cross-sectional area (A) increases drift velocity as charge carriers are more concentrated.

Q5: How does temperature affect drift velocity?
A: Higher temperature increases resistance (more collisions), typically reducing drift velocity for given voltage.