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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.

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Why CFL bulbs are in tubular in shape instead of being as typical bulbs?

CFL tubes work on the principal of fluorescent effects produced by electrons. Electrons emitted from the cathode in CFL tubes are incident on the chemicals pasted on inner walls of the CFL tube and visible light is produced there as a result of fluorescence. Now, since the electron beams travel only in straight lines, the CFL tube has to be linearly straight for optimum incidence of electrons on the walls of CFL device.


What is horizontal deflection system in CRO?

in a CRO ,fast moving electrons coming from cathode tube strikes the screen .This is seen as a single dot,but for viewing a waveform it is required that the electrons should move both horizontally as well as vertically. For that purpose a horizontal deflection plate is provided in the cro. This deflection plate is supplied with voltages , so that the electrons passing through these plates get deflected horizontally.due to alternating voltages these electrons deflect right & left very quickly, that we humans fell it is a straight horizontal line due our perception. THE voltages is provided by sweep generator,which produce ramp voltages WHICH IS AMPLIFIED & PROVIDED TO HORIZONTAL DEFLECTION PLATES in a CRO ,fast moving electrons coming from cathode tube strikes the screen .This is seen as a single dot,but for viewing a waveform it is required that the electrons should move both horizontally as well as vertically. For that purpose a horizontal deflection plate is provided in the cro. This deflection plate is supplied with voltages , so that the electrons passing through these plates get deflected horizontally.due to alternating voltages these electrons deflect right & left very quickly, that we humans fell it is a straight horizontal line due our perception. THE voltages is provided by sweep generator,which produce ramp voltages WHICH IS AMPLIFIED & PROVIDED TO HORIZONTAL DEFLECTION PLATES


Why is light fixture hot?

When electricity runs through the fillament in a light bulb, the electrons move so fast that they generate heat, which also creates light. Light bulbs actually create more heat than light.


Is cotton wool a conductor of electricity or an insulator?

Cotton wool is not a conductor or an insulator it is a semi conductor. It is sort of in the middle, electrons can travel through cotton wool but not as good as silver, bronze, metal and so on.


Electricity produces work when the electrons in a conductor?

Electricity produces work when the electrons in a conductor

Related Questions

At which wavelength will electrons travel faster when hitting uranium?

The wavelength that will cause electrons to travel faster when hitting uranium is 100nm. If the wavelength was any lower, electrons would not move as fast.


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.


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.


Some fast do light rays travel?

Yes, they travel some fast!


What happens to the distance electrons travel when voltage is changed?

When voltage is changed, the distance electrons travel in a circuit will increase if the voltage is increased, and decrease if the voltage is decreased. This is because voltage is directly proportional to the energy of the electrons, which affects how far they can travel through the circuit.


Do electrons move slow or fast around the nucleus?

Electrons move fast around the nucleus at speeds close to the speed of light. The exact speed of an electron is determined by its energy level and its distance from the nucleus.


In what way electrons act like waves?

electrons go fast too


How fast can a basball travel?

Depends how fast you throw it


How fast water travel in tree?

quite fast


What is a fast moving electron?

Fast moving electrons are equivalent to beta radiation.


Do bobcats travel fast or slow?

bobcats travel fast,but they only go up to 57 m.p.h.


A fast way for penguins to travel on land?

A fast way for penguins to travel on land is sliding on their bellies. This allows them to travel faster and farther.