How is the movement of electricity through air diffirent from its movement through copper wire?

Answer 1

The answer is not straightforward. Through air, the electric terminals (positive and negative) must first ionize the intervening air so that the air will carry a current. The amount of voltage needed to do this depends on the composition of the "air" and how much gap there is between the terminals.

The "termiinals" may be natural (like clouds and ground for lightning) or man-made. Air is normally a relatively good diaelectric, which means it does not usually conduct electricity. But when conditions are right, electrons move across the air, which is heated and shows up as "sparks" or big sparks called "lightning."

A copper wire is an excellent conductor. So as soon as a voltage is applied (a potential differential), current begins to flow. What is known as the current is often misunderstood. In fact, there are two kinds of current. One is the current made up of the free electrons actually migrating through the copper. The other is the transverse waves of electrons that travels at the speed of light. The current measured as I in E = IR is the transverse wave type.

Answer 2

Movement Of Electricity

Answer 3

Electricity through air is like having a bucket brigade with five or six people and a hundred yards between. And when they hand the buckets over to each other they argue the price and the weather. resistance a plenty. Electricity through copper is like a crowd of people back to back, and belly to belly and all have bunch of buckets and just want them to move on so they can breathe. almost no resistance.

Answer 4

its pretty much the same, except in air the electrons have a greater tendency to disperse and become useless. in copper wire the electrons pretty much keep on truckin without too much interference.

Answer 5

copper contains the electricity and in the air it is free to fly from molecule to molecule.
ps the first guy who answered, is obviously uneducated hick.