A quick question in physics
So tomorrow I have a test in Physics (in electricity) and I have a question. I don't learn physics in English so excuse me if the terms I use are not usual.
My question: To calculate the number of Electrons going in an x amount of seconds through a light a bulb in a certain question I did, I had to think of the following formula:
Electricity stream in this is measured by Amperes.
number of electrons=(electricity stream X amount of time)/((absolute of an electric charge of an electron).
My question is:
It seems logical to me, but my problem is that there are cases where the number of electrons is not a round number. How could the number of electrons passing in a second be for example 3.646 and not a round number? Is such thing possible?
Thanks in advance.
3 Comments • Newest first
Q=ne
e=-1.6x10^-19 (or something close)
[quote=HolyDragon]If that formula works, just use it. Sometimes math and physics have absurd questions just for the hell of it. I'm no physicist, but maybe there can be partial electrons for all I know.[/quote]
The thing is I'm not sure whether it works or not, it's not an official formula, at least not in my country. I just had a random question where I was asked to calculate how many electrons are passing in 2 seconds. I made up a formula that calculates it. Basically my logic behind this formula was that since electric stream is the amount of charge passing in a second, then the total amount would be that times the amount of seconds. And that divided by the value of the absolute of an electric charge of an electron should give the number of electrons passing in a certain amount of time.
Edit: I read your edit, what you said is basically my formula. So I guess that should answer it. Thanks.
If that formula works, just use it. Sometimes math and physics have absurd questions just for the hell of it. Actually in this question, electrons numbers are only an estimate. That's why you get weird numbers.
I= Q/t
Where Q is the total charge and t is a unite time.
Q= It
Q= Charge per electron * number
Number = Q/charge of electron.