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Calculating free electrons per meter length of wire?

I have this Physics question which I can't figure out how to do:

"Calculate the number of free electrons per meter length of wire if a current of 2.0A produces a drift velocity of 1.0*10^-3 m/s."

I'm completely stuck, as using I = Anev will only give the value of A * n (no area is given), and there's nothing to do with length in that formula anyway?

Any help is much appreciated :smile:
You need the value of An
n is the number of free electrons per unit volume and A is the x-sectional area
so An gives the number of free electrons per unit length
[if you don't understand the above, some dimensional analysis helps you to get the answer]

therefore, you need to evaluate An = I/(ev)
Reply 2
Original post by BobbJo
You need the value of An
n is the number of free electrons per unit volume and A is the x-sectional area
so An gives the number of free electrons per unit length
[if you don't understand the above, some dimensional analysis helps you to get the answer]

therefore, you need to evaluate An = I/(ev)

Thank you for the response. I'm kind of having trouble understanding why A*n is the number of electrons per unit length, is there any way you could explain it? :smile:
Original post by Yemto
Thank you for the response. I'm kind of having trouble understanding why A*n is the number of electrons per unit length, is there any way you could explain it? :smile:


n is the number of free electrons per unit volume and A is the x-sectional area
multiplying [per unit volume] by [area] gives [per unit length]

i.e multiplying m^-3 by m^2 gives m^-1

so multiplying n by A gives the number of free electrons per unit length
Reply 4
Original post by BobbJo
n is the number of free electrons per unit volume and A is the x-sectional area
multiplying [per unit volume] by [area] gives [per unit length]

i.e multiplying m^-3 by m^2 gives m^-1

so multiplying n by A gives the number of free electrons per unit length

Thank you! I get it now :smile:
Reply 5
what answer did u get for this?
Original post by yaz2007
what answer did u get for this?


It would be better that you post your working instead of asking answer.
If you still have problems, please start a new thread and link to this 4-year-old thread because we are closing this thread.

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