How do electrons move in a metal wire carrying direct current?

In a metal wire carrying direct current, electrons do not move in a straight, unobstructed line. Instead, they move through the crystal lattice of the metal, where they are influenced by an applied electric field.1

Because electrons carry a negative charge, they are accelerated by this field in the direction opposite to the field's orientation. However, their motion is frequently interrupted by collisions with ions in the metal lattice or other imperfections. These collisions prevent the electrons from accelerating indefinitely, resulting in a steady average speed known as drift velocity.1234

During these collisions, some of the energy acquired by the electrons from the electric field is transferred to the ions, causing them to vibrate more intensely. This process manifests as an increase in the wire's temperature and is the physical basis for electrical resistance. Consequently, the movement of electrons in a conductor is a complex process of acceleration punctuated by scattering events.324