\[v_d=\frac{I}{nqA}\]
Variables
vddrift velocity (m/s)
Ielectric current (A)
ncharge carrier density (1/m^3)
qcharge of carrier (C)
Across-sectional area (m^2)
Description
What is this formula?
This formula calculates the average drift velocity of charge carriers moving through a conductive material.
When to use it
Use it when analyzing electrical conduction in metals, semiconductors, or plasmas where current flow and carrier density are known.
Example
Data:
I = 5 A
n = 8.5e28 1/m^3
q = 1.602e-19 C
A = 1.0e-6 m^2
Formula:
vd = I/(n*q*A)
Substitution:
vd = 5/((8.5e28)*(1.602e-19)*(1.0e-6))
Result:
vd = 3.67e-4 m/s
Applications
Electrical conduction analysis, semiconductor devices, plasma physics, electron transport studies, and solid-state physics.