Mean Drift Velocity

Question 1

Conductors

Answer 1

A conductor allows the flow of electric current, therefore the material has a high number density of free charge carriers

Question 2

Semiconductors

Answer 2

A semiconductor is a material whose ability to conduct electricity is between that of a conductor and insulator. Therefore, it has a number density of free charge carriers that is smaller than in conductors

Question 3

Insulators

Answer 3

An insulator does not conduct electricity, therefore for a perfect insulator, the number density of free charge carriers (n) would be 0 and there would be no current flow. However, for real insulators, n is very small

Question 4

Charge carriers

Answer 4

A particle which can carry an electric charge
In electrolytes, ions are charge carriers.
In wires, electrons are charge carriers

Question 5

Mean Drift Velocity

Answer 5

The average displacement travelled by the charge carriers along the wire per unit time