Understanding Current in a Gas Discharge Tube

What is the current in a hydrogen discharge tube when given the number of electrons and protons passing through each second?

Calculate the current in the hydrogen discharge tube.

Answer:

The current in the hydrogen discharge tube is 0.768 A.

When a current is established in a gas discharge tube, it occurs when a sufficient potential difference is applied across the electrodes. In a hydrogen discharge tube, a current of 0.768 A is calculated when 3.4 ✕ 10^18 electrons and 1.4 ✕ 10^18 protons move past a cross-sectional area of the tube each second.

The calculation of the current involves determining the negative charge due to electrons moving toward the positive terminal and positive charge due to protons moving toward the negative terminal. By calculating the individual charges and summing them up, we arrive at a total current of 0.768 A in the hydrogen discharge tube.

Therefore, based on the given data and calculations, we can conclude that the current in the hydrogen discharge tube is 0.768 A.