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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
In the absence of applied potential, the electric current flowing through a metallic wire is zero because
PhysicsWork Power EnergyVITEEEVITEEE 2008
Options:
  • A the electrons remain stationary
  • B the electrons are drifted in random direction with a speed of the order of $10^{-2} \mathrm{~cm} / \mathrm{s}$
  • C the electrons move in random direction with a speed of the order close to that of velocity of light
  • D electrons and ions move in opposite direction
Solution:
2321 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: the electrons are drifted in random direction with a speed of the order of $10^{-2} \mathrm{~cm} / \mathrm{s}$
If there is no potential difference through a metallic wire, the current is zero because the electrons drift in a random direction with a speed of the order of $10^{-2} \mathrm{~cm} / \mathrm{s}$ so that the net charge crossing a particular cross-section in a given time is zero.

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