Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An ampere, often shortened to "amp," is a unit of electric current representing one coulomb of charge moving past a point per second.
Related terms
Electric Current: This refers to the flow of electric charge, similar to water flowing down a river.
Resistance: Resistance measures how difficult it is for electricity to flow through something. It’s like rocks in our river slowing down the flow of water.
Conductor: A material that allows electricity to pass through easily, just like pipes allow water to flow freely.