Introduction to Electric Current
Current is the movement of electric charge. It is an essential quantity in electronic circuits. Current moves through a circuit when a voltage is placed across two points of a conductor. In an electronic circuit, the current is the course of electrons. Current moves from positive to negative terminals.
Electric Socket
The flow of electrons through a circuit is measured in ‘amperes’. Electrons would flow through the wires in the direction opposite to that of the current. Benjamin Franklin originated in the year 1752. He wanted to indicate the relationship between lightning and electricity.
Electric Current
Electric current is when electric charges move from one place to another in a circuit. The current frequently travels through conductors or wires. A circuit is a closed track in which electric current travels from a power source. A current of electricity is a slow flow of electrons. There are different sources from which electricity is generated: coal, water, solar, wind, nuclear, etc.
To build an electric current, a few things should be kept in mind or needed which are:
A power supply
A switch and electric components through which electricity will flow
A pathway or circuit
A potential difference between the terminals of the circuit
Electric Circuit
Electric Current Examples
There are some examples of electric current with which we can understand it better. Starting a car, turning on the light, cooking on an electric stove, playing video games, using a phone, charging a cell phone, flashlight, table lamp, and many more. These are examples that we use in our daily life.
Unit of Electricity Current
The SI unit of electric current is the ‘Ampere’ or amp. Electric current is measured using a device called the ammeter.
This SI unit is vital in factual and technological research and development. The International Systems of Units (SI) is the grading system that is always used as a standard for measurements. This SI unit Ampere was signed in 1881.
Electric Current Facts
An electric current is a stream of charged particles.
It is calculated as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface.
Electric current can be measured using the electric current formula: I = V/R.
It flows through metals.
It flows through liquids that have free electrons.
It carries a lot of energy.
It is very powerful and dangerous.
There are two types of electric current: direct current and alternating current.
Summary
In this article, we studied about current electricity. Although the current is an example of our daily routine things, they still exist in each and everything. Also, we studied the unit of electric current, some interesting facts, some examples, and a short introduction to electric current.
FAQs on What is Electric Current for Kids?
1. What is electric current in simple terms for kids?
Electric current is the flow of tiny charged particles, usually electrons, through a path or a wire. You can imagine it like a continuous stream of water flowing through a garden hose. This flow of charge is what powers our lights, toys, and electronic gadgets.
2. What are the three essential parts of a simple electric circuit?
To make an electric current flow, you need a complete path called a circuit. A simple circuit must have three main parts to work:
- A Power Source: This provides the energy or 'push' to make the charges move, like a battery.
- A Load: This is the device that uses the electricity to do something, such as a light bulb that glows or a motor that spins.
- A Pathway: These are the conducting wires that connect the power source to the load, creating a complete, closed loop for the current to travel through.
3. Can you give some examples of electric current in our daily life?
We use electric current constantly in our daily lives. Common examples include turning on a television with a remote, charging a mobile phone, lighting up a room with a switch, toasting bread in a toaster, and a flashlight shining in the dark. All these actions depend on an electric current flowing through their circuits.
4. How is the flow of electric current similar to water flowing in a pipe?
Thinking about water in pipes is an excellent way to understand electric current. In this analogy:
- The water inside the pipes represents the electric charges (electrons) inside the wires.
- The pump that pushes the water represents the battery, which provides the voltage or 'push' for the charges.
- The flow of water itself is like the electric current.
- A tap that can start or stop the water flow is like a switch that can open or close an electric circuit.
5. What is the difference between electricity and electric current?
While often used interchangeably, 'electricity' is a very broad term for energy related to the presence and flow of electric charge. Electric current is more specific: it is the actual rate of movement or flow of these charges. So, a battery contains stored electrical energy, but an electric current only exists when that battery is connected to a circuit, causing the charges to move.
6. If tiny electrons create current, why can it be so powerful and dangerous?
A single electron is indeed tiny, but an electric current consists of billions and billions of electrons flowing together every second. Its power comes from the huge number of charges moving in a coordinated way, not the size of an individual one. This massive, high-energy flow is what makes it powerful enough to run machines and also very dangerous if not handled safely.
7. How is electric current measured, and what is its unit?
Electric current is measured using a special device called an ammeter. The standard SI unit used to measure the strength or rate of flow of an electric current is the Ampere, which is often shortened to 'Amp' and written with the symbol 'A'. A higher Ampere value means a stronger current is flowing through the circuit.
