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A 1.0 × 10⁻³ V/m electric field generates a 3.0 × 10¹⁷ elec/s current in a 1.3-mm-diameter aluminum wire.

Determine (a) the drift speed and (b) the mean time between collisions for electrons in this wire.

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Final answer:

The drift speed of electrons in the wire is 3.0 × 10^7 m/s, and the mean time between collisions is 3.64 × 10^-19 s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The drift speed of electrons in the wire can be calculated using the formula

vd = I / (nAq),

where vd is the drift speed, I is the current, n is the number of free electrons per unit volume, A is the cross-sectional area of the wire, and q is the charge of an electron.

Here, we are given the current and the electric field, which allows us to determine the number of free electrons per unit volume. Substituting the given values, we find the drift speed to be

vd = 3.0 × 10^7 m/s.

The mean time between collisions can be calculated using the formula

τ = m / (nq).

The mass of an electron, m, is approximately 9.11 × 10^-31 kg.

Substituting the given values, we find the mean time between collisions to be

τ = 3.64 × 10^-19 s.

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