(i) Derive an expression for drift velocity of free electrons.
(ii) How does drift velocity of electron in a metallic conductor vary with increase in temperature? Explain.
(i) When a potential difference is applied across a conductor an electric field is created.
Due to this electric field, the electrons accelerate colliding with each other and acquires an average constant velocity known as drift velocity.
The acceleration of electron
where e is the charge of electron and m is the mass of the electron.
for an electron accelerating the final velocity just before the collision
u1 is the initial thermal velocity of electron where t1 is the time interval between successive collision
Similarly for n electrons
ii) As temperature increases, the relaxation time decreases, so drift velocity decreases for a conductor.