Electric Current

From ZuluNotes - Free Leaving Cert Notes

Electric Current: flow of charge

Effects if Electric Current: heating effect; magnetic effect; chemical effect

Conductor: substance through which electric current can flow. e.g metal Insulator: substance through which electric current cannot flow. e.g plastic

SI Unit of Charge: The Coulomb (C) SI Unit of Current: The Ampere (A)

Q = I t Charge gone past = steady current x time taken

Direct Current: current that flows in one direction only. Alternating Current: current that reverses the direction in which it flows periodically. The mains electric current is alternating current.

An ammeter or galvonometer is used to measure the current flowing in a conductor. They must be connected in series with the circuit.