RE: REPLY TO ALL, text misconceptions

[trammell@fn872.fnal.gov (John Trammell)]

Hello all:

I've never seen these misconceptions in any textbook.  That
may be because I've managed to avoid the more incoherent texts,
but I doubt it.  :-)

> 39) The electrons drift slowly during an electric current in a metal,
>     they do not move at or near the speed of light.
>
> 40) Electric current is not always and forever a flow of negative charge.
>    When an electric current passes through the earth, through water, or
>    through people, positive and negative charges flow, but not electrons.

I think we should enforce the distinction between the mis-
conceptions of the masses, and the particularly disturbing
ones that "survive" into the books.  Maybe #40 qualifies, but
I don't think #39 should.

John