Electric Current, An Explanation

Electric current is the rate of flow of charge past a point in a closed circuit. In an electric circuit this charge is carried by electrons moving through a wire but it can also be carried by ions in an electrolyte.

The symbol for current is I, which originates from the French phrase intensité du courant (current intensity). The SI unit of electric current is the ampere (A). One ampere is equal to one coulomb per second. Electric current is measured using a device called an ammeter

In a conductor the negatively charged electrons are the charge carriers and are free to move about in the metal. A flow of positive charges gives the same electric current, and has the same effect in a circuit, as an equal flow of negative charges in the opposite direction. The direction of conventional current is defined as the same direction as positive charges flow. Since electrons, the charge carriers in metal wires and most other parts of electric circuits, have a negative charge they flow in the opposite direction of conventional current flow in an electrical circuit.

Chapters:
0:00 Electric Current, An Explanation
0:30 What is Current
08:45 Equation and Calculation
09:45 Example Problem

Social Media for Step by Step Science:

Support my channel by doing all of the following:
(1) Subscribe, get all my physics, chemistry and math videos
(2) Give me a thumbs up for this video
(3) Leave me a positive comment
(4) Share is Caring, sharing this video with all of your friends

[gameplaytru]

This video means a lot to me before I was confused about why the electric current is in the opposite direction of the flow of electrons... thank you so much for the explanation.

[thomastammaro]

Thank you!!I had to slow down the speed a bit to keep up, But you broke it down very well. I just subscribed. 👊

[chamomile]

Online class really be giving me hard time on physics . Good thing I found your channel! Yayyy! You're way better than my instructor 🖐️

[GodrickTheGrafted]

Thanks for the explanation, needed this for my exam.

[chamomile]

you're amazing. Thank you for a clear explanation

[johnhopkins]

As current flow through the battery is known (evidenced by internal resistance creating internal heat, in a closed circuit); What is unclear (for me) is the mechanism of electrons moving from the internal positive component of the battery, to the negative. (something to do with atom-level transference of electrons between molecules?) "short-circuit" a battery, it will heat up.
Or, plug two 9V batteries into each other, in opposite directions.. it will warm up very quickly. Please explain. FWIW, "current flow" = electricity, "electron flow" = electronics (AFAIK)... perhaps why, with transistors, the labelling convention of "collector" vs. "emitter"... and/or "source" vs. "drain" ("base"/"gate", notwithstanding)

[jbardige]

This was very informative. There is one thing I cannot get my head around (only science in my degrees in Political Science): what is the difference between current and power? If current is the amount of charge passing a point in a wire in a specified unit of time, how is this different from power. Power = I * V but how does voltage affect current to determine power?

[tedlahm]

Good video. The DC battery shows the electrons flowing (being pushed and pulled) from the copper wire BACK to the battery, but we could show the electrons going BACK to the copper wire. NEXT show this for an AC ckt.
Thank you.

[tedlahm]

Sir: A charge (coulomb/amp) can carry 9 volts DC or 120 volts AC.
What changes in the charge, is it PRESSURE pushing the electrons or
are MORE electrons ADDED to the charge at higher voltage? thank you.

[tedlahm]

Sir: Thank you for all past information. Question please. I have a 120 volt AC circuit with a 60 ohm resistance load. Drawing 2 Amps of current on a Charge
of 2 coulombs per second. 240 Watts of power. The question is DO THESE 2 coulombs pass by ANY GIVEN POINT back and forth 60 times per second
because it is AC? Thank you.

[Ronbo]

Two questions: After the battery is depleted, do all of the electrons end up back in the wire? Also, since there is a finite number of electrons in the wire, why doesn’t that fact limit the amount of current that the wire can carry?

[talhajat]

is positive charges dont move then how is there current with positive charges

[sallaklamhayyen]

great job thank you
please i want to learn electronic
please i want to learn electronics, so where should i do start and what i need to learn ?
can you help me

[getsetstatus]

What is your consideration about the electric current?


Answer me please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please 🥺🥺🥺...

[leah]

Isn't the current only transient in 5:15, so current won't flow after that?

[Outside]

why didnot you explain as a detailed plan
but anyway thank you nice explanation

[sarojkoirala]

I am in dilemma that
Current is the flow of
1. Electrons only
2.Negative and positive ions both
3.positive ions only
4.Electron and positive ions both

Which option is correct please provide me its exact answer.

[atheistaetherist]

So if electricity is the flow of electrons in the wire then why does the electrical force travel at the speed of light in the insulation covering the wire (say 0.66c km/s), or if no insulation then it travels at the speed of light in air (say km/s). How do the smart electrons in the wire know whether there is insulation or not.
For the answer google Ivor Catt or Forrest Bishop.

[TiberiusStorm]

When the switch is opened would it read as Infinite Resistance because there's so much resistance? But if it's closed then it would have Continuity?

[bell]

What repells electrons from the (opposite) pole, how big is that repelling power, is it constant or does it change by time ?