More commonly, though, when we speak of electric current, we mean the more controlled form of electricity from generators, batteries, solar cells or fuel cells. Delivered to your inbox! It can take the form of a sudden discharge of static electricity, such as a lightning bolt or a spark between your finger and a ground light switch plate. Electric current definition: An electric current is a flow of electric charge in a circuit. Electricity represents the follow of electric current. Synonym Discussion of current. In other words, the continuous flow of electrons in an electric circuit is called an electric current.The conducting material consists a large number of free electrons which move from one atom to the other at random. Learn the generation of current electricity and more. You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary. Electrons are minute particles that exist within the molecular structure of a substance. Electric current, any movement of electric charge carriers such as electrons, protons, ions, or holes. How to use current in a sentence. Thus, these negatively charged electrons move in the direction opposite the electric field. electrical definition: 1. relating to electricity: 2. relating to electricity: 3. using electricity for power, involved…. Google Classroom Facebook Twitter. Difference Between AC (Alternating Current) & DC (Direct Current) The Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) are the two types of electric currents that coexists in our daily life.They are both used for supplying power to the electrical devices. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. (Presented by AlliantEnergyKids.com) No current can flow if the circuit is broken - for example, when a switch is open. Electric current is the flow of electric charge (charged particles) through a conductor with respect to time. electric current - a flow of electricity through a conductor; "the current was measured in amperes" current electrical phenomenon - a physical phenomenon involving electricity Written by Willy McAllister. Using water pipe analogy, we can visualize the electrical current as water current that flows in a pipe. Post the Definition of electric current to Facebook, Share the Definition of electric current on Twitter, The Difference Between 'Hoard' and 'Horde'. juice (electric current) thermionic current (an electric current produced between two electrodes as a result of electrons emitted by thermionic emission) Electron flow is in the opposite direction from negative to positive. An electric current is a flow of charge, and in a wire this will be a flow of electrons. Current electricity is the most common form of electricity that is used to power up devices and appliances. Electric current is defined as the rate at which charge flows through a surface (the cross section of a wire, for example). Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. Electric Diesel Climatisation Maintenance. What is an electric current and how does it bring electricity to your home? 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'? Electric current is electric charge in motion. Ohm's law and circuits with resistors. The adjective "electric" is implied by the context of the situation being described. A daily challenge for crossword fanatics. One ampere of current is defined as one coulomb of electrical charge moving past a unique point in a second. It represents the flow of electrons through a conductive material, such as a metal wire. Build an intuitive understanding of current and voltage, and power. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Electric current in a wire, where the charge carriers are electrons, is a measure of the quantity of charge passing any point of the wire per unit of time. Introduction to circuits and Ohm's law. The SI unit for measuring electric current is the ampere (A). Electric Current Definition: Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of negative charges of the conductor. How is Electric Current Produced? Despite referring to many different things, the word currentis often used by itself instead of the longer, more formal "electric current". The electrical current is measured in ampere (amp) unit. Electric charge flows when there is voltage present across a conductor. The particles that carry charge through wires in a circuit are mobile electrons. In electric circuits this charge is often carried by moving electrons in a wire. Electric current definition: An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit . But while electrons are the charge carriers in metal wires, the charge carriers in other circuits can be positive charges, negative charges or both. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Electric current definition Electrical current is the flow rate of electric charge in electric field, usually in electrical circuit. An electric current is a flow of electric charge. From this discussion, we can see two things that current is not : It is not an actual "flow" of electrons in the everyday sense of the word: If we examine the speed given to the electrons by the field, it is usually very small, on the order of millimeters per second. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! The charge can be negatively charged electrons or positive charge carriers including protons, positive ions or holes. Defining Electric Current Electric Current is the rate of flow of electrons in a conductor. Basic electrical quantities: current, voltage, power. While AC Current is good for transmission over long distance, DC current is good for digital electronics. Electrical current is a measure of the amount of electrical charge transferred per unit of time. It is measured in amperes. ... Electromotive Force Definition: Electromotive force is defined as the electric potential produced by either an electrochemical cell or by changing the magnetic field. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/electric+current, Here, without the use of a battery, with no more, What remained to be done was to construct such a machine and find out how the, He was a third-generation specialist in the nature of speech, and he knew that for the transmission of spoken words there must be "a pulsatory action of the, I tested the electric signals from the gatling platform to the cave, and made sure that they were all right; I tested and retested those which commanded the fences -- these were signals whereby I could break and renew the, There was no doubt but that the grasshopper controlled an, It would be the safest possible place--so long as one was not in the line of the, Let the press strike off millions of copies; let the, The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has launched inquiry against K-Electric and has constituted inquiry committee to probe into the casualties caused due to, Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, NEPRA orders inquiry against K-Electric on casualties caused by electric currents, Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986, Electric Continuously Variable Transmission. As with all quantities defined as a … Current definition is - occurring in or existing at the present time. The phrase "current through a toaster" surely refers to the flow of electrons through the heating element and not the flow of slices of bread through the slots. This "jolt" that electrons receive from the electric field is the source of current, not the overall flow of electrons themselves. In fact, the charge ca… But they are very different. Current flows from negative to positive points. More specifically, the electric current is the rate of charge flow past a given point in an electric circuit. More specifically, the electric current is the rate of charge flow past a given point in an electric circuit. electrical: 2. concerned with electricity : an electrical consultant. Learn more. Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge. Units and Notation for Electrical Current Voltage is required to make electrons move in a current (or a steady flow). Email. Electric charge or current can flow only in one direction (DC) or in the charge can change direction periodically (AC). In most circuits, this movement is accomplished by electrons in a conductor. The SI Unit of electric current is the Ampere. Current is the flow of electrical charge carriers like electrons. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Do you know these earlier meanings of words? Leakage current definition: A leakage current is an electric current in an unwanted conductive path under normal... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Electric current definition is - a movement of positive or negative electric particles (such as electrons) accompanied by such observable effects as the production of heat, of a magnetic field… The process is similar to flowing of a river in one direction. It’s a force of potential electrical energy on the electrons, and it can change direction. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? Noun 1. current electricity - a flow of electric charge dynamic electricity electricity - a … It means the continuous flow of electrons in an electric circuit is called an electric current. When electric charges move, that's called current! The electric field direction within a circuit is by definition the direction that positive test charges are pushed. Electrical current, then, is coulombs/second that pass any point within the circuit. current electricity synonyms, current electricity pronunciation, current electricity translation, English dictionary definition of current electricity. Electric current definition, the time rate of flow of electric charge, in the direction that a positive moving charge would take and having magnitude equal to the quantity of charge per unit time: measured in … In this activity, you will check your knowledge regarding the definition, unit, and types of electric current presented in the lesson. Electric current is known as the rate of flow of negative charges of the conductor. What made you want to look up electric current? It can also be carried by ions in an electrolyte, or by both ions and electrons such as in a plasma. More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary, Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes. Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with: “Electric current.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electric%20current. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. The definition of current Types of electric current Electrical energy transfer through conductors Skills Practiced. Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times. Define current electricity. An electric current is a flow of electric charge in a circuit. 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