Quantum & RelativityElectricity

Electricity Is Slow

Electrons crawl along a wire; the signal races

You flip a switch and the light comes on at once. So do the electrons rush from the switch to the bulb?

You'll find out

  • How fast electrons really move in a wire
  • What actually races to the lamp
  • Why a tube of marbles explains it

Why it matters

Every flip of a switch and every tap on a screen sends a push along a wire. Here is what really travels.

About 3 min6 interactive slides · 5 questionsLesson 198 · Zone 22

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