thermal agitation

Here's a little interactive thing. Click on the connectors and it's illustrated (sort of).

http://www.edumedia.fr/a102_l2-thermal-agitation.html



I'm pretty sure it just refers to the motion of electrons in a conductor due to heat -- that is, without a current being applied, the electrons are not still, but move about randomly in accordance with the amount of heat energy (the temperature) of the material.

okay thanks that helps a lot! my notes make more sense now.