How do lights turn on so quickly even though electrons move rather slow?

Answer 1

Actually, electrons move around the speed of light, and since the conductor is already full of electrons, there is no relative waiting period for current flow. As far as we can see, it's instantaneous.

Any noticeable delay can be attributed to filaments warming up in incandescent lamps, or cathodes/anodes exciting the gasses in fluorescent lamps.

Answer 2

The light turns on fast because it is not turned on when an electron is sent from the switch to the light. Rather,flipping the light closes the circut, which allows ALL the electrons on the wire to flow. It's like turning on the current in a lazy river, all of the water flows and does the work together in a chain.

Answer 3

They may move slow compared to the speed of light but it is still very fast compared to how fast humans move.

apparently the flow can be very fast in AC lines.
"For example, in AC power lines, the waves of electromagnetic energy propagate rapidly through the space between the wires, moving from a source to a distant load, even though the electrons in the wires only move back and forth over a tiny distance. Although the velocity of the flowing charges is quite low, the associated electromagnetic energy travels at the speed of light. The ratio of the signal velocity through a medium versus the speed of light in a vacuum is called the velocity factor."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current

Answer 4

Where did you get the idea that electrons are "slow"?
Electrons, like all forms of electromagnetic energy, move at the speed of light and that, I might add, is nowhere near "slow"...

Answer 5

'slow' is, of course, a comparative term.

They move faster then you can perceive (assuming you are talking about incandescent lighting and not led or flour. lights)

if you repeatly flick the switch you will note that there is actually a little tiny delay which is caused as the filiment is heating up prior to 'glowing'. Put it is still might fast. (comparatively speaking - grin)

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Answer 6

that's because energy is so fast you can't even see it . love that question!

Answer 7

they dont