Question

What is the nature of path of free electrons in a conductor in the 1) presence of electric field 2) absence of electric field

do all the electrons have the same average velocity?how does this velocity vary with temperature?

Answer 1

1) presence of electric field : the path of free electrons moves in one direction which is opposite direction of current.

2) absence of magnetic field: the path of free electrons moves in a random direction or no proper direction

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Answer 2

Answer: The nature of path of free electrons is :

• In the presence of electric field: Curved
• In the absence of electric field: Straight line

Explanation:

Conductor in the presence of electric field

When an external electric field is present the electrons experience force in the direction opposite to that of the Electric field(since electron has a negative charge and F= -e E)They are accelerated in the direction of force and towards the negative charge Thus, They form a curved path in between successive collisions.

Conductor in absence of electric field

The free electrons will undergo zig-zag motion. The net displacement of free electrons will be zero. The path of free electrons in between successive collisions is straight line.

Average velocity of free electrons:

Yes electrons move with the same average velocity.

The concept of drift velocity comes into play here when electric field is applied.

On increasing the temperature of a conductor, resistivity of conductor will decrease and relaxation time of electrons will decrease. Therefore, the drift velocity of electrons will decrease.

$V_{d}=eE\tau /m\\Here, \tau =relaxation\ time\\m=mass\ of\ electron\\E=External\ Electric\ field\\e=charge\ of\ electron$