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20.1 Current Electric Current Electric current is defined to be the rate at which charge flows. A large current, such as that used to start a truck engine, moves a large amount of charge in a small time, whereas a small current, such as that used to operate a hand-held calculator, moves a small amount of charge over a long period of time. In equation form, electric current I is defined to be ΔΟ I = Δι (20.1) where AQ is the amount of charge passing through a given area in time At . (As in previous chapters, initial time is often taken to be zero, in which case At = 1.) (See Figure 20.2.) The SI unit for current is the ampere (A), named for the French physicist André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836). Since I = AQ/At , we see that an ampere is one coulomb per second: 1A = 1 C/s (20.2) Not only are fuses and circuit breakers rated in amperes (or amps), so are many electrical appliances. Current = flow of charge Figure 20.2 The rate of flow of charge is current. An ampere is the flow of one coulomb through an area in one second.

20.1 Current Electric Current Electric current is defined to be the rate at which charge flows. A large current, such as that used to start a truck engine, moves a large amount of charge in a small time, whereas a small current, such as that used to operate a hand-held calculator, moves a small amount of charge over a long period of time. In equation form, electric current I is defined to be ΔΟ I = Δι (20.1) where AQ is the amount of charge passing through a given area in time At . (As in previous chapters, initial time is often taken to be zero, in which case At = 1.) (See Figure 20.2.) The SI unit for current is the ampere (A), named for the French physicist André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836). Since I = AQ/At , we see that an ampere is one coulomb per second: 1A = 1 C/s (20.2) Not only are fuses and circuit breakers rated in amperes (or amps), so are many electrical appliances. Current = flow of charge Figure 20.2 The rate of flow of charge is current. An ampere is the flow of one coulomb through an area in one second.

College Physics
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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Current
• Define electric current, ampere, and drift velocity
• Describe the direction of charge flow in conventional current.
• Use drift velocity to calculate current and vice versa.

20.1 Current Electric Current Electric current is defined to be the rate at which charge flows. A large current, such as that used to start a truck engine, moves a large amount of charge in a small time, whereas a small current, such as that used to operate a hand-held calculator, moves a small amount of charge over a long period of time. In equation form, electric current I is defined to be ΔΟ I = Δι (20.1) where AQ is the amount of charge passing through a given area in time At . (As in previous chapters, initial time is often taken to be zero, in which case At = 1.) (See Figure 20.2.) The SI unit for current is the ampere (A), named for the French physicist André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836). Since I = AQ/At , we see that an ampere is one coulomb per second: 1A = 1 C/s (20.2) Not only are fuses and circuit breakers rated in amperes (or amps), so are many electrical appliances. Current = flow of charge Figure 20.2 The rate of flow of charge is current. An ampere is the flow of one coulomb through an area in one second.
Transcribed Image Text:20.1 Current Electric Current Electric current is defined to be the rate at which charge flows. A large current, such as that used to start a truck engine, moves a large amount of charge in a small time, whereas a small current, such as that used to operate a hand-held calculator, moves a small amount of charge over a long period of time. In equation form, electric current I is defined to be ΔΟ I = Δι (20.1) where AQ is the amount of charge passing through a given area in time At . (As in previous chapters, initial time is often taken to be zero, in which case At = 1.) (See Figure 20.2.) The SI unit for current is the ampere (A), named for the French physicist André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836). Since I = AQ/At , we see that an ampere is one coulomb per second: 1A = 1 C/s (20.2) Not only are fuses and circuit breakers rated in amperes (or amps), so are many electrical appliances. Current = flow of charge Figure 20.2 The rate of flow of charge is current. An ampere is the flow of one coulomb through an area in one second.
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