Under ordinary conditions, the drift speed of electrons in a metal is around 10

Question

Under ordinary conditions, the drift speed of electrons in a metal is around 104 m/s or less. Why doesn't it take a long time for a lightbulb to come on when you flip the wall switch that is several meters away? PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY

A) The drift velocity is only the average velocity. A number of electrons will reach the light at a much faster rate.

B) None of these

C) The electric field, which is what causes the electrons to move, is set up along the whole length of the wire nearly instantaneously.

D) The voltage in homes is high enough to cause the electrons to move at much faster rate.

Explanation / Answer

when the bulb is switched ON, light can come almost instantly from the bulb because the metal components used in the circuit have already contained the electrons.

When the switch is turned on, the electric field in created on entire length of the circuit and it pushes the electrons that are already in the circuit to progress through the circuit almost instantaneously. As a result, electrons will enter the bulb on almost instantly, causing the light to come on almost instantly.

So, option - C is the right answer.

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