Which property of electrons is responsible for the current flowing in a conductor?

Drift velocity alone
Thermal velocity alone
Both drift and thermal velocity
Neither drift nor thermal velocity

Correct answer: Drift velocity alone

Solution

Thermal velocities are random and cancel out, so only the small net drift velocity produced by the electric field gives rise to current.

Related JEE Advanced Physics questions

The electric current in a conductor varies with time according to i = (20 + 4t). Determine the value of x if the total charge passing through a section of the conductor in 10 seconds is x × 10² C.
A 2.0 V potentiometer is used to find the internal resistance of a 1.5 V cell. With the cell's external circuit open, the balance length is 76.3 cm. When a resistor of 9.5 ohm is connected across the cell's terminals, the balance length drops to 64.8 cm. Determine the internal resistance of the cell (give the nearest integer value in ohm).
In a circuit, resistors of 2 ohm, 3 ohm and 4 ohm are connected in parallel across a battery of EMF 12 V and negligible internal resistance. Which resistor dissipates the maximum power?
An ideal cell of EMF 10 V and a non-ideal cell of EMF 15 V with internal resistance 1 ohm are connected in parallel between terminals A and B. What is the equivalent EMF between A and B?
In a Wheatstone bridge, resistors R1 and R2 occupy two adjacent arms while capacitors C1 and C2 occupy the other two adjacent arms. When a key is pressed the galvanometer shows no deflection. Which of the following expressions correctly represents the balance condition for this bridge?
In a potentiometer circuit used to measure an unknown resistance R, the balance (null) point is found at length PJ = 30 cm when a secondary cell of EMF Es = 10 V and internal resistance r = 1 ohm is used. When the secondary cell is replaced by another with Es = 5 V and r = 2 ohm, the balance point shifts to PJ = 10 cm. What is the value of R (in ohm)?

⚔️ Practice JEE Advanced Physics free + battle 1v1 →