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. 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… All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. The process is similar to flowing of a river in one direction. Defining Electric Current Electric Current is the rate of flow of electrons in a conductor. Using water pipe analogy, we can visualize the electrical current as water current that flows in a pipe. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). 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. Electric current definition: An electric current is a flow of electric charge in a circuit. Electric current, any movement of electric charge carriers such as electrons, protons, ions, or holes. In fact, the charge ca… Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! It is measured in amperes. Electric charge or current can flow only in one direction (DC) or in the charge can change direction periodically (AC). electrical: 2. concerned with electricity : an electrical consultant. Leakage current definition: A leakage current is an electric current in an unwanted conductive path under normal... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples 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. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021. Synonym Discussion of current. Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times. In electric circuits this charge is often carried by moving electrons in a wire. Build an intuitive understanding of current and voltage, and power. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. Post the Definition of electric current to Facebook, Share the Definition of electric current on Twitter, The Difference Between 'Hoard' and 'Horde'. 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. But they are very different. No current can flow if the circuit is broken - for example, when a switch is open. Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge. Noun 1. current electricity - a flow of electric charge dynamic electricity electricity - a … An electric current is a flow of electric charge in a circuit. While AC Current is good for transmission over long distance, DC current is good for digital electronics. 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. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Do you know these earlier meanings of words? Electricity represents the follow of electric current. Electric current definition: An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit . Current flows from negative to positive points. The particles that carry charge through wires in a circuit are mobile electrons. 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. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'? Electrical current is a measure of the amount of electrical charge transferred per unit of time. 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 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. Written by Willy McAllister. It can also be carried by ions in an electrolyte, or by both ions and electrons such as in a plasma. 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 more. The definition of current Types of electric current Electrical energy transfer through conductors Skills Practiced. Introduction to circuits and Ohm's law. When electric charges move, that's called current! How to use current in a sentence. Define current electricity. Ohm's law and circuits with resistors. Electric current is known as the rate of flow of negative charges of the conductor. Units and Notation for Electrical Current 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. Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. Electric Diesel Climatisation Maintenance. juice (electric current) thermionic current (an electric current produced between two electrodes as a result of electrons emitted by thermionic emission) Google Classroom Facebook Twitter. How is Electric Current Produced? electric current - a flow of electricity through a conductor; "the current was measured in amperes" current electrical phenomenon - a physical phenomenon involving electricity The electrical current is measured in ampere (amp) unit. Electric current is the flow of electric charge (charged particles) through a conductor with respect to time. Despite referring to many different things, the word currentis often used by itself instead of the longer, more formal "electric current". One ampere of current is defined as one coulomb of electrical charge moving past a unique point in a second. Electric current is defined as the rate at which charge flows through a surface (the cross section of a wire, for example). It’s a force of potential electrical energy on the electrons, and it can change direction. Delivered to your inbox! Current is the flow of electrical charge carriers like electrons. An electric current is a flow of electric charge. ... Electromotive Force Definition: Electromotive force is defined as the electric potential produced by either an electrochemical cell or by changing the magnetic field. Voltage is required to make electrons move in a current (or a steady flow). It means the continuous flow of electrons in an electric circuit is called an electric current. More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary, Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes. This "jolt" that electrons receive from the electric field is the source of current, not the overall flow of electrons themselves. The SI Unit of electric current is the Ampere. Electric current definition Electrical current is the flow rate of electric charge in electric field, usually in electrical circuit. 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. Electric Current Definition: Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of negative charges of the conductor. Electrical current, then, is coulombs/second that pass any point within the circuit. electrical definition: 1. relating to electricity: 2. relating to electricity: 3. using electricity for power, involved…. Electrons are minute particles that exist within the molecular structure of a substance. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? The electric field direction within a circuit is by definition the direction that positive test charges are pushed. It represents the flow of electrons through a conductive material, such as a metal wire. Thus, these negatively charged electrons move in the direction opposite the electric field. A daily challenge for crossword fanatics. Electron flow is in the opposite direction from negative to positive. Learn the generation of current electricity and more. The adjective "electric" is implied by the context of the situation being described. Current electricity is the most common form of electricity that is used to power up devices and appliances. What is an electric current and how does it bring electricity to your home? Learn a new word every day. Basic electrical quantities: current, voltage, power. But while electrons are the charge carriers in metal wires, the charge carriers in other circuits can be positive charges, negative charges or both. current electricity synonyms, current electricity pronunciation, current electricity translation, English dictionary definition of current electricity. As with all quantities defined as a … More specifically, the electric current is the rate of charge flow past a given point in an electric circuit. Electric charge flows when there is voltage present across a conductor. An electric current is a flow of charge, and in a wire this will be a flow of electrons. What made you want to look up electric current? More specifically, the electric current is the rate of charge flow past a given point in an electric circuit. (Presented by AlliantEnergyKids.com) Email. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples 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. Current definition is - occurring in or existing at the present time. The charge can be negatively charged electrons or positive charge carriers including protons, positive ions or holes. In most circuits, this movement is accomplished by electrons in a conductor. The SI unit for measuring electric current is the ampere (A). Electric current is electric charge in motion. , DC current is the ampere ( amp ) unit molecular structure of substance! 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