Key terms current ammeter potential difference voltmeter series circuit parallel circuit
30 x
Keywords xx
xx Current
Electrical current is the flow of negatively charged electrons through a wire from the negative terminal of a battery to the positive terminal of a battery.
Electrons
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
xxx
resistance conductor insulator ohmmeter resistor
Ohm’s law
In this chapter, you will learn to: / recognise and use the correct symbols in electric circuit diagrams
/ explain the difference between current, voltage and resistance
/ use appropriate instruments to measure current, voltage and resistance
/ calculate current, voltage and resistance / describe the relationship between current and voltage.
In this chapter, you will learn to: / xx
Wire
)Fig. 30.1 Electrical current flows from negative to positive
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+
Battery
Because electricity was discovered before electrons, scientists once incorrectly thought that a positive charge flowed from the positive terminal of a battery to its negative terminal. This is now known as conventional current, as it is a convention (rule) that is still used today to show the movement of electricity.
The SI unit of current is the ampere (A), also known as the amp. The instrument used to measure current is an ammeter.
? TEST TUBE
1. What particles carry the electric current through a wire? 2. Name the instrument used to measure current.