Drift Velocity Calculator

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Drift Velocity Calculator:

Enter the values of current, I(A), number of charge carriers, n(carriers/m3), cross-sectional area, A(m2) and charge of each carriers, q(C) to determine the value of drift velocity, u(m/s).

Enter Current : A
Enter Number of Charge Carriers : carriers/m3
Enter Cross-Sectional Area : m2
Enter Charge of Each Carriers : C
   
Result – Drift Velocity : m/s

Drift Velocity Formula:

Drift velocity is defined as the average velocity that a particle, such as an electron, attains due to an electric field. In conductors, it represents the average velocity that the charge carriers move at when subjected to an electric field.

Drift velocity, u(m/s) in metres per seconds is equated by dividing the current, I(A) in amperes by the product of number of charge carriers, n(carriers/m3) in carriers per cubic metres, cross-sectional area, A(m2) in square metres and charge of each carriers, q(C) in coulombs.

Drift velocity, u(m/s) = I(A) / n(carriers/m3) * A(m2) * q(C)

u(m/s) = drift velocity in metres per second, m/s.

I(A) = current in amperes, A.

n(carriers/m3) = number of charge carriers in carriers per cubis metres, carriers/m3.

A(m2) = cross-sectional area in metres square, m2.

q(C) = charge of each carriers in coulombs, C.

Drift Velocity Calculation:

1.Assume a copper wire carrying a current of 3 amperes. The number of free electrons per cubic meter for copper is typically around 8.5 * 1028 carriers/m3. The cross-sectional area of the wire is 1 * 10-6m2 and the charge of an electron is approximately 1.6 * 10-19 coulombs. Calculate the drift velocity of the electrons

Given: I(A) = 3A, n(carriers/m3) = 8.5 * 1028, A(m2) = 1 * 10-6, q(C) = 1.6 * 10-19.

Drift velocity, u(m/s) = I(A) / n(carriers/m3) * A(m2) * q(C)

u(m/s) = 3 / 8.5 * 1028 * 1 * 10-6 * 1.6 * 10-19

u(m/s) = 0.002794 * 10-4m/s.

2.Suppose we know the drift velocity of electrons in a conductor is 0.0002m/s, the current is 2 amperes, the number of charge carriers per cubic metres is 5 * 1028 carriers/m3, and the charge of an electron is 1.6 * 10-19 coulombs. Calculate the cross-sectional area of the conductor.

Given: I(A) = 2A, n(carriers/m3) = 5 * 1028, u(m/s) = 0.0002m/s, q(C) = 1.6 * 10-19.

Drift velocity, u(m/s) = I(A) / n(carriers/m3) * A(m2) * q(C)

A(m2) = I(A) / n(carriers/m3) * u(m/s) * q(C)

A(m2) = 2 / 5 * 1028 * 0.0002 * 1.6 * 10-19

A(m2) = 2 / 8 * 106

A(m2) = 2.5 * 10-7m2.

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