Final answer:
The rate of electrical impulses refers to the high speed at which signals are transmitted in electrical circuits (~10^8 m/s), while conduction velocity typically refers to the slower travel speed of action potentials along nerve fibers in biological systems, affected by the presence of myelination and type of fiber. The difference is due to the actual movement of electrons in electrical conductors being much slower (~10^-4 m/s) than the signal propagation, which occurs almost instantaneously through the electric field.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the rate at which electrical impulses move and the conduction velocity lies primarily in the context of their application. In the realm of electrical circuits, when we switch on a light, the electrical signal moves through the circuit at a high speed, on the order of 108 m/s. This is often referred to as the signal propagation speed and is a significant fraction of the speed of light. Nonetheless, the actual drift velocity of individual electrons within the conductor is much slower, usually around 10-4 m/s. On the other hand, in biological contexts such as nerve conduction, the conduction velocity refers to the speed at which an action potential (electrical impulse) travels along a nerve fiber, which is much slower than in electrical circuits and varies depending on the type of nerve fiber and whether or not it is myelinated.