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
Current refers to the flow of electric charge in a circuit. It is measured in Amperes (A) and represents the rate at which charges move through a conductor.
Related terms
Amperes (A): Amperes, often abbreviated as A, is the unit used to measure current. It represents the quantity of electric charge passing through a point in a circuit per second.
Voltage is the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. It determines how much energy each charge carries and affects the rate at which charges flow (current) in a circuit.
Resistance is an opposition to the flow of current in an electrical circuit. It can be thought of as obstacles or barriers that slow down or limit the movement of charges.