Electrons and Consequences of Conservation Laws

In summary, the conversation discusses the conservation of electronic charge by Kirchoff's Current Law and whether this means that the total number of electrons traversing a circuit is constant. The response clarifies that most of the electrons in a circuit are bound and may not contribute to current flow. The conversation also touches on the ambiguity of the term "traversing" and the difference between electron drift and current. The final response discourages approaching electricity in terms of electrons unless necessary.
  • #1
nDever
76
1
Hi Guys,

I was wondering; if electronic charge is conserved by Kirchoff's Current Law, then does this mean that the total number of electrons traversing any given circuit at any time is constant?
 
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  • #2
How do you define "traversing any given circuit"?
The total number of charges in the whole circuit is constant, sure.
In typical materials, most of the electrons are bound and never contribute to current flows.
 
  • #3
nDever said:
Hi Guys,

I was wondering; if electronic charge is conserved by Kirchoff's Current Law, then does this mean that the total number of electrons traversing any given circuit at any time is constant?
Why do you think current must be constituted only of electrons flow? That's correct for metals, but not correct always.
 
  • #4
nDever said:
then does this mean that the total number of electrons traversing any given circuit at any time is constant?
A question well phrased is half answered.

mfb highlighted the ambiguity in your question

do you mean "traversing" a series circuit ? At what sort of frequency ?
by "constant" do you mean with respect to time, or the same in all parts of the circuit?

The answer to your question would be
"In a flashlight, yes.
In a transmission line, no."
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/ohmlaw.html#c3

and one needs to be constantly aware of difference between electron drift and current...
 
  • #5
As usual, I feel I need to chip in here and discourage approaching 'electricity' in terms of electrons when it's not absolutely necessary. They seem to cause more confusion than they are worth - in this thread, as in many others.
 
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Likes jim hardy

Related to Electrons and Consequences of Conservation Laws

1. What is an electron?

An electron is a subatomic particle that has a negative charge and is found in the outer shells of atoms. It plays a crucial role in many physical and chemical processes.

2. What are the conservation laws related to electrons?

The three main conservation laws related to electrons are conservation of charge, conservation of energy, and conservation of momentum. These laws state that the total amount of charge, energy, and momentum in a system remains constant, even in the presence of electron interactions.

3. How do electrons contribute to electricity?

Electrons are responsible for carrying charge, which is essential for the flow of electricity. When electrons move through a conductor, they create an electric current, which can power various devices and machines.

4. What are the consequences of violating conservation laws related to electrons?

If conservation laws related to electrons are violated, it can lead to significant consequences such as unexpected energy transfers, unbalanced charges, and unstable atomic structures. This can result in malfunctions in electronic devices and disruption in various natural processes.

5. How do conservation laws related to electrons affect the behavior of matter?

The conservation laws related to electrons play a crucial role in determining the behavior of matter. The laws dictate how electrons interact with each other and other particles, leading to the formation of stable atomic structures and the functioning of various physical and chemical processes.

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