A current is established in a gas discharge tube when a sufficiently high potent

Question

A current is established in a gas discharge tube when a sufficiently high potential difference is applied across the two electrodes in the tube. The gas ionizes; electrons move toward thepositive terminal and singly charged positive ions move toward the negative terminal.

toward the negative terminaltoward the positive terminal ?

Please give me a full explanation about this I cannot visualize what is going on.

A current is established in a gas discharge tube when a sufficiently high potential difference is applied across the two electrodes in the tube. The gas ionizes; electrons move toward thepositive terminal and singly charged positive ions move toward the negative terminal. (a) What is the current in a hydrogen discharge tube in which 3.4 ? 1018 electrons and 1.5 ? 1018 protons move past a cross-sectional area of the tube each second? (Enter the magnitude.) A (b) What is the direction of the current density j? toward the negative terminaltoward the positive terminal ? Please give me a full explanation about this I cannot visualize what is going on.

Explanation / Answer

ntotal no. of electrons = 3.4-1.5 = 1.9 e18

net charge Q = ne

Q = 1.9 e18 * 1.6e-19

Q = 0.304 C

so cuurent   i = charge/time

i = 0.304/sec   = 0.304 Amps

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Current density J = i/A

J = 0.304 per every m^2 of the tube

here area of discharge tube is needed to calculate accurately the magnitude of charge density

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