Which of the following is a characteristic of free electrons in a conductor when voltage is applied?

When voltage is applied to a conductor, free electrons, which are the charge carriers in the material, respond by moving. The characteristic behavior of these free electrons is that they flow in one direction. This directed flow occurs due to the electric field established by the applied voltage, which exerts a force on the electrons.

In a conductor, while free electrons do exhibit random thermal motion, the application of voltage causes them to drift in the same direction in response to the electric field. This movement from one end of the conductor to the other constitutes an electric current. The actual flow of electrons, often described as the flow of charge, is opposite to the conventional current direction because electrons carry a negative charge. The increase in the directed movement of these electrons forms the basis of how electric currents behave in conductive materials when subjected to an electric potential difference.

This understanding is foundational in electrical engineering and helps in grasping concepts related to circuit design, power systems, and the overall behavior of electrical systems.