What do copper cables primarily transmit?

Copper cables primarily transmit electrons, which are the fundamental charge carriers in electrical circuits. When electricity flows through a copper cable, it is essentially the movement of electrons that facilitates the transmission of electrical energy over distances. This is due to the conductive properties of copper, which allow electrons to move freely and carry electrical current.

While copper cables can also carry data packets and signals, these terms refer to the formats or types of information that can be encoded onto the electrical signals. The basis of all these transmissions is the flow of electrons through the conductive material. Photons, which represent light particles, are typically associated with fiber optic cables rather than copper, further emphasizing that electrons are the primary mode of transmission in copper wiring.