Charges Help?

Question

If charges flow very slowly through a metal, why does it not require several hours for a light to turn on when you throw a switch?

Answer 1

the short answer is this.

while  the charges, or electricity themselves flow slowly the charges are all lined up so when one moves it pushes the one next to it and a electric current is produced. this wave like motion travels fast.

so, in short, particle motion=slow

wave motion=fast

Answer 2

electricity flows fast through metal

metal is a conductor so it does not have high resistance

Answer 3

When you turn on the switch. The electricity field is developed instantanously.

Electrons flow slowly, but the electron at the last end also moves and reaches to the bulb circuit.

That's why it does not take several hours, because all teh electrons start moving not the only one near the switch.