What is an electric current?
Quick Answer
An electric current is the flow of electric charge through a conductor or circuit. It is measured in amperes, or amps.
The Full Story
Electric current usually refers to the movement of electrons through a wire, though in some materials ions or other charged particles can carry current. It is measured in amperes, where one ampere equals one coulomb of charge passing a point each second. Current is what powers household appliances, electronics, and large electrical grids. In metals, electrons drift through the material while the electrical signal travels much faster. Without controlled current, modern civilization would not function.
Key Facts
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"The moving charge that powers the modern world"
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