Question

Write mathematical relation between mobility and drift velocity of charge carriers in a conductor. Name the mobile charge carriers responsible for conduction of electric current in (i) an electrolyte and (ii) an ionised gas.

Answer 1

If E is applied electric field across the two ends to a conductor and v_d is drift velocity of charge carriers in a conductor and µ is mobility, then

v_d = µE

(i) In an electrolyte the charge carriers are positive and negative ions.

(ii) In ionised gas the charge carriers are free electrons and positive ions.