Introduction:
We have heard a lot about electric currents in our classrooms and at home. While the topic is highly relatable, in more scientific terms an electric current is basically a flow of current or charge in electric circuits.
Sometimes both ions and electrons carry the charge simultaneously. Electric current or charge is measured by an ammeter, and there are different measurement methods as well as units of current. Here we will look at some of them in detail.
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| Table of Contents |
What is the SI Unit of Electric Current?
The SI unit of current is ampere which measures the flow of electric charge across a surface at the rate of one coulomb per second. Since the charge is measured in coulombs and time in seconds, so the unit is coulomb/Sec (C/s) or amp. Meanwhile, the formula for electric current is given as follows:
I = V/R
Where,
- I = Electric Current
- V = Voltage
- R = Resistance of the material
Ampere is one of the SI base units for electric current. It is used in electronic and electrical science as well as other areas of science. The definition of ampere is based on the electromagnetic effect it induces.
You may also want to check out these topics given below!
- Unit Of Conductivity
- Unit of Electric Flux
- Unit of Electric Field
- Unit of Electric Charge
- Unit of Electricity
Some Other Current Units
Apart from ampere, there are several standard units of measurement used for the expression of electrical properties like the voltage, resistance, power, capacitance, inductance, electric field, electric charge, frequency, the magnetic flux which are all related to electric current.
| Electrical Parameter |
Measuring Unit |
Symbol |
| Voltage | Volt | V or E |
| Resistance | Ohm | R or Ω |
| Capacitance | Farad | C |
| Charge | Coulomb | Q |
| Inductance | Henry | L or H |
| Power | Watts | W |
| Impedance | Ohm | Z |
| Frequency | Hertz | Hz |
| Conductance | Siemen | G or ℧ |
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the definition of electric current?
What is the SI unit of current?
What is the formula of current?
I = V/R
What are the basic two types of current?
Which is the most common carrier in electric current?
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