Kramer Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Controversial: A huge discrepancy between drift of electrons and velocity of energy in power lines.When a power line is connected (switched) with a source of energy (voltage) the energy flows quasi instantaneously. Instead, electrons inside the metallic ropes of the power line, move with very low velocity (drift).Some say that carriers of energy are electrons, which indeed are inside the metallic rope of power lines.Others say that carriers of energy are photons outside and around the metallic rope.I think that physics debate of this controversy must be very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg H. Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I wasn't aware there was a debate. You're talking about two different things, and then comparing their velocities as if they were the same. The speed at which energy or signals travel down a cable is actually the speed of the electromagnetic wave, not the movement of electrons. Electromagnetic wave propagation is fast and depends on the dielectric constant of the material. In a vacuum the wave travels at the speed of light and almost that fast in air. Propagation speed is affected by insulation, so that in an unshielded copper conductor ranges 95 to 97% that of the speed of light, while in a typical coaxial cable it is about 66% of the speed of light.[1] 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_electricity#Electromagnetic_waves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 ! Moderator Note Stop it with the new threads on this subject! This is the second one you have started, and that after a thread hijack was split off to form a new thread. The last time it was merged with the existing thread. http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/77691-response-of-current-vs-drift-speed-split-from-electrons-in-electricity/ Closed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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