Chapter 18, Problem 1QAP

To determine

Why current is not considered as vector quantity?

Answer to Problem 1QAP

Current is defined as rate of charge passing through a point. It is more like a flux than a vector.

Explanation of Solution

Current is defined as rate of charge passing through a point. Mathematically it can be represented as

  $i=\frac{q}{t}$

Here,

  $q$ is charge

  $t$ is time

Electric current has both direction and magnitude but still it is not considered as vector quantity because it behaves more like flux than a vector quantity.

Because of the flux like nature of the current it is not consider as vector quantity, thus current has both direction and magnitude but is not really a vector.

Conclusion:

Current is defined as rate of charge passing through a point. It is more like a flux than a vector.