Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Technically electrons barely move at all (on clock-cycle timescales); it's the electric field that moves at ~2/3 speed of light. Compare eg, wind speed (particles) versus the speed of sound (field).


> Technically electrons barely move at all (on clock-cycle timescales); it's the electric field that moves at ~2/3 speed of light.

Yes.

> Compare eg, wind speed (particles) versus the speed of sound (field).

Huh? The speed of particles in the air is even faster than the speed of sound.


Aggregate wind speed, as in "5 knots southeasterly" vs. the speed of sound in that vicinity, which would still be ~340 m/s




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: