Why current moves with the speed of light
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There is a simple answer and a complicated answer.
Simple - no. The electrons in a wire that form the electric current move very slowly. The second hand on a watch moves faster than the electrons. The actual speed of electrons is about 1.2 inches per minute in a typical, home lighting circuit.
Complicated - The effect, or electromagnetic wave, of electric current moves at nearly, but not quite, the speed of light.
Think of a tube full of balls. If you push one more ball into the tube, the ball at the other end comes out immediately. This is why turning on a light switch has an immediate effect. The electrons in the wire all push on each other and thus the light goes on instantly.
Simple - no. The electrons in a wire that form the electric current move very slowly. The second hand on a watch moves faster than the electrons. The actual speed of electrons is about 1.2 inches per minute in a typical, home lighting circuit.
Complicated - The effect, or electromagnetic wave, of electric current moves at nearly, but not quite, the speed of light.
Think of a tube full of balls. If you push one more ball into the tube, the ball at the other end comes out immediately. This is why turning on a light switch has an immediate effect. The electrons in the wire all push on each other and thus the light goes on instantly.
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