(e) Are the paths of electrons straight lines between successive
collisions (with the positive ions of the metal) in the (i) absence of
electric field, (ii) presence of electric field Solution
(a) Electric field is established throughout the circuit, almost instantly
(with the speed of light) causing at every point a local electron
drift Establishment of a current does not have to wait for electrons
from one end of the conductor travelling to the other end However,
it does take a little while for the current to reach its steady value