Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Nimmie on 22/08/2017 14:12:28

Title: Which one would move faster, an electron or a snail?
Post by: Nimmie on 22/08/2017 14:12:28

If an electron and a snail were to race, what would be the outcome? Also what is the difference between speed of light and speed of electron?

Title: Re: Which one would move faster, an electron or a snail?
Post by: chiralSPO on 22/08/2017 15:10:22

Electrons don't have a set speed, though most have enough energy to move significantly faster than a snail. Classically, kinetic energy and velocity of an electron are related by the equation:
E_k = ½ × m_e x v²
where E_k is kinetic energy in J, m_e is the mass of the electron (9.1×10^–31 kg), and v is the velocity of the electron in m/s.

In many cases electrons are traveling fast enough that relativistic equations are required (electrons in a TEM can move at about 70% the speed of light.) If you are interested in these more complex equations, see more here: http://advanced-microscopy.utah.edu/education/electron-micro/

Title: Re: Which one would move faster, an electron or a snail?
Post by: Bored chemist on 22/08/2017 18:48:06

It depends which "speed" you measure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drift_velocity

Title: Re: Which one would move faster, an electron or a snail?
Post by: David Cooper on 24/08/2017 21:47:45

If the electron is moving round a circuit in a wire (with electricity actively flowing through the circuit) the snail will sprint past it and could lap it many times before the electron completes its lap).