Question

select the correct term to complete the statement:
if the voltage causing the electric field increased, the drift velocity of the electrons would ______.

○ increase
○ decrease
○ stay the same

Explanation:

The drift velocity of electrons in a conductor is related to the electric field by the formula \( v_d = \mu E \), where \( \mu \) is the electron mobility (a constant for a given material at a given temperature) and \( E \) is the electric field. The electric field \( E \) is related to the voltage \( V \) across the conductor (of length \( L \)) by \( E=\frac{V}{L} \). If the voltage \( V \) increases (and \( L \) remains constant), the electric field \( E \) increases. Since \( v_d \) is proportional to \( E \) (with \( \mu \) constant), an increase in \( E \) (due to increased voltage) will cause the drift velocity \( v_d \) to increase.

Answer:

A. increase