Derive I = nAVe

Over 1 second, electrons with drift velocity V travel through a wire of  cross sectional area A. Distance Vt (t = 1) multiplied by area A gives a volume AV. This volume multiplied by the electron density of the material n, gives the number of electrons in volume V, nAV. The charge in the volume of material is found by multiplying the number of electrons by the elementary charge e, nAVe. This is the amount of charge passing through the wire every second, or current I. Therefore, I = nAVe

DD
Answered by Dojcin D. Physics tutor

70347 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

I dont really understand the Rutherford experiment


How does circular motion work?


A car moves from rest and accelerates uniformly at 4m/s/s, how far will it have traveled after 10 seconds?


Explain why a jet fighter pilot experiences "weightlessness" when at the top of a loop-the-loop manoeuvre.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning