Question

Why does the drift speed remain almost steady in real metallic conductors?

Options

• The source stops supplying energy to the charges.

• Charges do not experience a potential difference.

• The charges stop moving between collisions.

• Collisions continuously transfer energy to the lattice of atoms.

Answer 1

In real metallic conductors, collisions continuously transfer energy from moving charges to the lattice of atoms. This prevents charges from accelerating without limit, so drift speed remains almost steady.