Conventional current
Definition
Conventional current is the flow of positive charge from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a power source in an electrical circuit. It is a historical convention and opposite to the actual flow of electrons, which move from the negative to the positive terminal.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Conventional current assumes positive charge carriers, while actual electron flow consists of negative charges moving in the opposite direction.
- The concept was established before the discovery of electrons and remains useful for simplifying circuit analysis.
- In circuit diagrams, arrows indicating current direction follow conventional current flow.
- Ohm's Law ($V = IR$) applies regardless of whether you consider conventional current or electron flow.
- Conventional current is used in most electrical engineering contexts, including Kirchhoff's laws.
Review Questions
- What is the primary difference between conventional current and electron flow?
- How does conventional current relate to Ohm's Law?
- Why is conventional current still used despite being opposite to electron flow?
"Conventional current" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Related terms
Electron Flow: The movement of electrons from the negative terminal to the positive terminal in an electrical circuit.
Ohm's Law: $V = IR$, which relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit.
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL): States that the total current entering a junction equals the total current leaving that junction.
