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Electrons have mass, so they can't move at the speed of light. They can move at pretty much any other speed, depending on what they're doing, e.g. orbiting an atom, traveling down a wire, etc.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoElectrons can have a wide range of speeds. A slow case: we know that
electrons move when there is a current flow in a wire, but the speed at
which the electrons themselves move in the wire -- the so-called electron
drift velocity -- surprises most people. For example, for a copper wire of
radius 1 mm carrying a steady current of 10 amps, the drift velocity is
only about 0.024 cm/sec ! On the fast side: the Bohr model of the hydrogen
atom has the (bound) electron zipping around the nucleus at about 2 million
meters/sec. And on the very fast side, some examples are: beta particles,
which are emitted by some radioactive materials; and the innermost elec-
trons of atoms of elements having large atomic number, such as uranium. In
these cases the electrons are traveling at very nearly the speed of light.
(about 300 million meters/sec).
Rcwinther So that you aren't confused, electron orbitals are not a variable in the speed of an electron. The shape of the orbital doesn't matter, whether it is S, P, D, F, G, H,... Orbitals are just there to represent potential energy.
However if an electron is traveling in a particle vacuum without a medium it would travel at exactly the speed of light. This is because an electron is a subatomic particle and so is a photon and photons make up light. All subatomic particles move at the speed of light.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe speed is alpha Zc/n = 7.2E-3cZ/n= 2.16E6 Z/n m/s. This is the fine Structure Constant Alpha times the speed of light times Z, the Atomic Number and n is the quantum level number. At Z=1 and n=1 the Hydrogen atom, the speed is 2.16E6 m/s.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second in vacuum. The concept of light
moving "through" an electron is quite meaningless.
-- Considering the light as a stream of particles: If one of the light particles (photons)
has enough energy to raise the electron to a higher energy level, or to liberate it
completely from its atom, then the electron absorbs the photon. If not, then the
photon continues on its way with no effect.
-- Considering light as a wave, the wave is almost unimaginably huge in comparison
to the electron. The question would be the equivalent of asking: "What is the speed
of the moon through a mosquito ?"
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt can move at any speed, up to almost the speed of light.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agodepends on energy
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago30000km/hr
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago3000km/hr
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How does speed travel?
Speed does not travel. The word speed is a general term for velocity.
Do electrons travel in definite circular pathway around the nucleus?
No. Electrons travel at will in Electron clouds, At first we thought they were in definite pathways, but they don't. Though Bohr's model is used so we can know roughly how many electrons are in an energy level.
When you travel at subsonic speed are you underwater?
Speed has nothing to do with where you are. You can travel below the speed of sound pretty much anywhere.
How fast do electric currents move?
Yes, typically about 2/3 of the speed of light in a vacuum - that is, about 200,000 km/sec. Note that the drift speed of the electrons is only a fraction of a millimeter per second, and the random speed of electrons is faster, but still much slower than the speed of the CURRENT.Yes, typically about 2/3 of the speed of light in a vacuum - that is, about 200,000 km/sec. Note that the drift speed of the electrons is only a fraction of a millimeter per second, and the random speed of electrons is faster, but still much slower than the speed of the CURRENT.Yes, typically about 2/3 of the speed of light in a vacuum - that is, about 200,000 km/sec. Note that the drift speed of the electrons is only a fraction of a millimeter per second, and the random speed of electrons is faster, but still much slower than the speed of the CURRENT.Yes, typically about 2/3 of the speed of light in a vacuum - that is, about 200,000 km/sec. Note that the drift speed of the electrons is only a fraction of a millimeter per second, and the random speed of electrons is faster, but still much slower than the speed of the CURRENT.
Why do waves of different wavelengths travel at the same speed?
All light travel at the same speed.
Why are electrons travel at greater than speed of light in television?
They don't. Nothing can exceed the speed of light. Electrons in a television travel much slower than the speed of light.
Object traveling through the speed of light?
Electrons are able to travel close to speed of light.
How fast do electrons travel?
In wires and other conductors, electrons travel very slowly. They drift along at molasses speeds, like 1 mm/sec. In vacuum tubes, electrons travel more quickly, around 1% of the speed of light. But the speed of the electrons isn't really important for circuits. What matters is the speed of electric field waves. These waves travel down the wire almost up to the speed of light, and they are responsible for the "instantaneous" effects we see from electricity. Think of a wave traveling across the surface of a slow-moving river, or the speed at which sound waves travel through slow-moving air. Waves can travel much faster than the medium that carries them.
Are calculators at the speed of light?
A calculator can only operate as fast as the electrons that carry the current through its circuits. Electrons have mass, and mass can never travel at the speed of light; therefore, calculators do not operate at the speed of light.
Can electricity travel at the speed of light?
Electromagnetic waves propagate at or near the speed of light, since photons are the carrier of the electromagnetic force, however electricity (that is, the transfer of electrons in a coil or wire) travels quite a bit slower Electrons will vibrate in the coil at "Fermi velocity" which is 1500000 m/s for electrons, but will actually travel the length of the wire at .0003 m/s So, usually no, electricity does not travel at the same speed as light.
What metal has to be obtained using electricity?
It is used as a way for electrons to travel. The presure of the electrons on each other gives you the voltage, and the speed at wich they travel gives you the current.
Do electrons move faster than the speed of light?
No. Because of their mass, they travel slower than c.
Do electrons go really fast?
The speed of electrons vary, according to charge or voltage. But most electrons travel just under the speed of light. The speed of light is 186,000 miles per sec. meaning an electron could completely circle the Earth 7 times in 1 second. That is fast.
What is the difference between photons and electrons?
Photons have no charge, no rest mass and travel at the speed of light throuh a vacuum. Electrons have a charge of -1, have rest mass and are part of atoms.
What is the Difference between electrons and photons?
Photons have no charge, no rest mass and travel at the speed of light throuh a vacuum. Electrons have a charge of -1, have rest mass and are part of atoms.
Do protons travel through an electric circuit at or near the speed of light?
Electricity, this may be electrons in a direct current. In an alternating current the electrons stay where they are and it is only the energy that moves between electrons.
How does speed travel?
Speed does not travel. The word speed is a general term for velocity.
