Electric Current The Flow of Charge

Our ancestors relied on fire for light, warmth and cooking.
Today at the flick of a switch, turn of a

knob or the push of a button we have instant power. This is possible because of the electric
current. Do you know what is current? In this article, let us learn and find how electric current has
revolutionised modern day living. It is one of the important discoveries that helped us transform
our way of living. From the time we wake up till the time we sleep at night, our life is dependent
on electricity. From the basic bread toaster, baking oven to the commonly used television all
require electric current to operate. The most common device, mobile phones use the electric
current to charge the battery for the operation. Besides playing a major part at home, electricity
also plays an important role in industries, transportation and communication. In this article, let us
learn more about what is current, the important resource that we are highly dependent on.
Defining Electric Current
Electric Current is the rate of flow of electrons in a conductor. The SI Unit of

electric current is the Ampere.
Electrons are minute particles that exist within the molecular structure of a substance.
Sometimes, these electrons are tightly held, and the other times they are loosely held. When
electrons are loosely held by the nucleus, they are able to travel freely within the limits of the
body. Electrons are negatively charged particles hence when they move a number of charges
moves and we call this movement of electrons as electric current. It should be noted that the
number of electrons that are able to move governs the ability of a particular substance to
conduct electricity. Some materials allow current to move better than others. Based on the ability
of the material to conduct electricity, materials are classified into conductors and insulators.
Conductors: these materials allow the free flow of electrons from one particle to another.
Conductors allow for charge transfer through the free movement of electrons. The flow of
electrons inside the conducting material or conductor generates an electric current. The force
that is required to drive the current flow through the conductor is known as voltage.
Examples of conductors: Human body, aqueous solutions of salts and metals like iron, silver and
gold.
Did you know?

Silver is the best conductor of electricity.
Insulators: Insulators are materials that restrict the free flow of electrons from one particle to
another. The particles of the insulator do not allow the free flow of electrons; subsequently,
charge is seldom distributed evenly across the surface of an insulator.
Examples of Insulator: Plastic, Wood and Glass
Prerequisites for the current to flow in a conductor are:

The circuit includes an energy source (a battery, for instance) that produces voltage. Without
voltage, electrons move randomly and are undirected; hence current cannot flow. Voltage creates
pressure on the electrons which channelises it to flow in a single direction.
The circuit forms a closed conducting loop through which electrons can flow. A circuit is said to
be closed or complete when a switch is turned ON.
What is an Electromotive Force?

The motion of free electrons is normally haphazard. If a force acts on electrons to make them
move in a particular direction, then up to some extent random motion of the electrons will be
eliminated. An overall movement in one direction is achieved. The force that acts on the
electrons to make them move in a certain direction is known as electromotive force and its
quantity is known as voltage and is measured in volts.
Read More: Electromotive Force
Unit of Electric Current

Let us know what is current and the unit to measure it.
The magnitude of electric current is measured in coulombs per second. The SI unit of electric

current is Ampere and is denoted by the letter A. Ampere is defined as one coulomb of charge
moving past a point in one second. If there are 6.241 x 10 18 electrons flowing through our frame
in one second then the electrical current flowing through it is ‘One Ampere.’
The unit Ampere is widely used within electrical and electronic technology along with the
multipliers like milliamp (0.001A), microamp (0.000001A), and so forth.
Read More: Ampere
Visualizing Electric Current

To gain a deeper understanding of what an electric current is and how it behaves in a conductor,
we can use the water pipe analogy of electricity. Certainly, there are some limitations but they
serve as a very basic illustration of current and current flow.
Water Pipe Analogy of Electricity
We can compare the electric current to the water flowing through the pipe. When pressure is
applied to one end of the pipe, the water is forced to flow through the pipe in one direction. The
amount of water flow is proportional to the pressure placed on the end. This pressure can be
compared to the electromotive force.
Conventional Current flow Vs Electron Flow

There is a lot of confusion around conventional current flow and electron flow. In this section, let
us understand their differences.
Conventional Current Flow vs Electron Flow

Conventional Current flow
The conventional current flow is from positive to the negative terminal and indicates the direction
that positive charges would flow.
Electron flow
The electron flow is from negative to positive terminal. Electrons are negatively charged and are
therefore attracted to the positive terminal as unlike charges attract.
Properties of Electric Current

Electric current is an important quantity in electronic circuits. We have adapted electricity in our
lives so much that it becomes impossible to imagine life without it. Therefore, it is important to
know what is current and the properties of the electric current.
 We know that electric current is the result of the flow of electrons. The work done in
moving the electron stream is known as electrical energy. The electrical energy can be
converted into other forms of energy such as heat energy, light energy, etc. For example,
in an iron box, electric energy is converted to heat energy. Likewise, the electric energy in
a bulb is converted into light energy.
 There are two types of electric current known as alternating current (AC) and direct
current (DC). The direct current can flow only in one direction, whereas the alternating
direction flows in two directions. Direct current is seldom used as a primary energy
source in industries. It is mostly used in low voltage applications such as charging
batteries, aircraft applications, etc. Alternating current is used to operate appliances for
both household and industrial and commercial use.
 The electric current is measured in ampere. One ampere of current represents one
coulomb of electric charge moving past a specific point in one second.
1 ampere = 1 coulomb / 1 second
 The conventional direction of an electric current is the direction in which a positive

charge would move. Henceforth, the current flowing in the external circuit is directed
away from the positive terminal and toward the negative terminal of the battery.
You shouldn’t touch electrical equipment with wet hands!
Effects of Electric Current

When a current flows through a conductor, there are a number of signs which tell if a current is
flowing or not. Following are the most prominent signs:
Heating Effect of Electric Current

When our clothes are crumpled, we use the iron box to make our clothes crisp and neat. Iron box
works on the principle of heating effect of current. There are many such devices that work on the
heating effect.
When an electric current flows through a conductor, heat is generated in the

conductor.
The heating effect is given by the following equation
H=I2RT
The heating effect depends on the following factor:
 The time ‘t‘ for which the current flows. The longer the current flows in a conductor more
heat is generated.
 The electrical resistance of the conductor. Higher the resistance, the higher the heat
produced.
 The amount of current. The larger the amount of current higher the heat produced.
If the current is small then the amount of heat generated is likely to be very small and may not be
noticed. However, if the current is larger then it is possible that a noticeable amount of heat is
generated.
Read More: Heating Effect of Electric Current
Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

Another prominent effect that is noticeable when an electric current flows through the conductor
is the build-up of the magnetic field. We can observe this when we place a compass close to a
wire carrying a reasonably large direct current, the compass needle deflects. The magnetic field
generated by a current is put to good use in a number of areas. By winding a wire into a coil, the
effect can be increased, and an electromagnet can be made.
Read More: Magnetic Effect of Electric Current
Chemical Effect of Electric Current

When an electric current passes through a solution, the solution ionizes and breaks down into
ions. This is because a chemical reaction takes place when an electric current passes through
the solution. Depending on the nature of the solution and the electrodes used, the following
effects can be observed in the solution:
 change in the colour of the solution

 metallic deposits on the electrodes
 a release of gas or production of bubbles in the solution
Electroplating and electrolysis are the applications of the chemical effect of electric current.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Why are copper wires used as connecting wires?

Because they offer low resistivity for the flow of electrons.
What is the reciprocal of conductance?

Resistance is the reciprocal of conductance.
What happens to the resistance of pure metals and semiconductors with an

increase in temperature?
The resistance of pure metals increases with the increase in temperature and resistance of
semiconductors decreases with increase in temperature.
What is the unit of electric conductivity?
mho/metre.
Which method is used for absolute measurement of resistance?

Wheatstone bridge method is used for the absolute measurement of resistance.

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Our ancestors relied on fire for light, warmth and cooking.

Today at the flick of a switch, turn of a

Defining Electric Current

Electric Current is the rate of flow of electrons in a conductor. The SI Unit of

Did you know?

Examples of Insulator: Plastic, Wood and Glass

Prerequisites for the current to flow in a conductor are:

What is an Electromotive Force?

Read More: Electromotive Force

Unit of Electric Current

The magnitude of electric current is measured in coulombs per second. The SI unit of electric

Visualizing Electric Current

Conventional Current flow Vs Electron Flow

Conventional Current Flow vs Electron Flow

Properties of Electric Current

1 ampere = 1 coulomb / 1 second

 The conventional direction of an electric current is the direction in which a positive

Effects of Electric Current

Heating Effect of Electric Current

When an electric current flows through a conductor, heat is generated in the

Read More: Heating Effect of Electric Current

Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

Read More: Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

Chemical Effect of Electric Current

 change in the colour of the solution

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Why are copper wires used as connecting wires?

What is the reciprocal of conductance?

What happens to the resistance of pure metals and semiconductors with an

Which method is used for absolute measurement of resistance?

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