What is the conventional direction of current flow in a circuit?
1 Answer
The conventional direction of current flow in a circuit is from positive to negative. This convention is established to simplify the understanding and analysis of circuits. In reality, electrons, which carry electric charge, flow in the opposite direction, i.e., from negative to positive.
The historical convention of considering current flow from positive to negative dates back to the time when the concept of electricity was first being understood and defined. Benjamin Franklin, an American polymath, initially hypothesized the direction of electric charge flow as positive to negative. Later, when it was discovered that electrons are the actual charge carriers, the convention was already well-established, and it was retained for consistency and ease of communication.
So, in summary, when you see arrows indicating current flow in circuit diagrams or when working with circuit analysis, remember that they represent the conventional direction of current flow from positive to negative, even though the actual flow of electrons is in the opposite direction.
The historical convention of considering current flow from positive to negative dates back to the time when the concept of electricity was first being understood and defined. Benjamin Franklin, an American polymath, initially hypothesized the direction of electric charge flow as positive to negative. Later, when it was discovered that electrons are the actual charge carriers, the convention was already well-established, and it was retained for consistency and ease of communication.
So, in summary, when you see arrows indicating current flow in circuit diagrams or when working with circuit analysis, remember that they represent the conventional direction of current flow from positive to negative, even though the actual flow of electrons is in the opposite direction.