Electric Current: The Flow of Charge

Electric Current is the rate of flow of electrons in a

conductor. The SI Unit of electric current is the Ampere.

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.

Conventional Current Flow

The conventional current flow is from the positive to the negative terminal
and indicates the direction in which 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.

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Electrical Resistance

When an electric current flows through a bulb or any conductor, the conductor offers some
obstruction to the current and this obstruction is known as electrical resistance and is denoted by R.
Every material has an electrical resistance and this is the reason why conductors give out heat when
current passes through it.

V ∝ I V = IR

Where,
V is the potential difference measured across the conductor (in volts)
I is the current through the conductor (in amperes)
R is the constant of proportionality called resistance (in ohms)

The electrical resistance of a circuit is the ratio between the voltage applied to the current flowing through it.

Resistance (R)
When the flow of electrons is opposed in a material is known as resistance
SI Unit: Ω

Resistivity (ρ)
When resistance is offered
SI Unit: Ω.m