Electric Current

In the early historical period, humans used fire for light and warmth. Over time, with upgrading of technology, a flick of a switch is all it takes to switch on a device, made possible primarily due to electric current. Electric current is nothing but the stream of charged particles, including the ions and electrons that move forward with the help of a conductor. In this article, we will understand electric current and its various characteristics, along with the integrated circuits.

Electric current: an overview

It is defined as the flow rate of electrons present in a conductor. Electrons are tiny particles that remain inside the molecular structure. However, the lost electrons can move freely within the body. Also, the tightness and losses of the electrons can vary from time to time. The flow of electrons from positive to negative is defined as the electric current. 

The conductors also create a high amount of potential movement denoted as voltage, which means the higher the voltage, the more electrons flow.

Flow of current 

A circuit with a battery or an energy source to build up the voltage is essential to ensure the flow of current. The electrons at first move randomly, and due to this, they can produce the current. In integrated circuits, from which electrons flow in a single line, remain closed when switched on from the outside.

An electric current can produce the electromagnetic fields further utilised in the generators, transformers, inductors and motors However, with the voltage, they move in a single direction from high to low energy and provide the proper electric current. 

Unit:

The electric current formed in the integrated circuits is measured with the help of coulombs per second. However, the SI unit of electric current is ampere, which is expressed with the letter ‘A.’ The ampere is further identified as one coulomb of charge that travels in one second past one point. For instance, if there are 6.241 x 1018 electron flows in one second, the electrical current in the integrated circuits will be 1 A. Also, there are wide varieties of ampere uses, including milliamp with 0.001 A, micro amp with 0.000001 A, etc. 

Electromotive force: explanation 

The free electrons that move randomly and haphazardly create zero energy or voltage. The force that can give the electrons away is defined as the electromotive force, and the quality of this is known as the voltage; thus, it is measured in volts. However, if a force is applied to these electrons, they can move in a particular direction of current flow from positive to negative direction. 

Impact of electric current 

Several effects can determine whether the current is flowing from the integrated circuits or not. These include:

• Magnetic effect

This effect of the electric current is important to determine whether or not the current is flowing in the integrated circuits. This happens because the flowing current generates a magnetic field. For instance, when we hold a compass near an electric wire, we notice that the compass’s needle will deflect.

• Chemical effect

Another effect that is created by the electric current includes the chemical impact. This is formed when an electric current is passed through a solution, ionising the solution and breaking down the ions. Additionally, change in colour, release of gas and metallic deposition can also occur depending on the nature of the solution. 

• Heating effect

In this effect of the flowing electrons, the conductor produces heat. This finds numerous applications in everyday life, such as clothes iron, electric stove, water heater, among others. However, the heating effect can further depend on the following things:

• Increasing the intensity of the current produces more energy. 

• Time and resistance plays a crucial role, i.e, the longer the current flows, the more heat it produces.

Key properties of electric current:

The electrical current is of considerable importance in integrated circuits. The properties of the electric current are described below:

• Electrical energy helps the electrons move further in the main electron stream. This energy present in the integrated circuits can be further converted into various forms of energy like light energy, heat energy and many more. For instance, the current present in the bulb can further transform it into light energy. Similarly, electric power changes into heat energy in an iron box

• The conventional direction of the current present in the integrated circuits describes the approach where the positive charges move. The electricity in the external circuit is pushed away from the positive towards the negative cell of the batteries.

• The two commonly known types of electric current are alternating current, also known as the AC and direct current, also called DC. The direct current flows from positive to negative. However, alternating current flows in more than one direction.

• Alternating current finds application in household, commercial and industrial sectors. Direct current has numerous applications in the industrial sector including the aircraft industry, charging of batteries, etc.

• Ampere is the unit to measure electric current; it signifies one coulomb of charge that moves past a point in one second. This further indicates the amount of time the ampere needs to travel in one second. 

Conclusion

The electric current represents the current flow from positive to negative. However, this is the most basic concept on which the whole idea of science is dependent. It is a fact that current itself cannot be seen, but its magnetic, heat and chemical effects can be witnessed and felt. Also, the current flow depends on the type of material. For instance, wind can easily pass through conductors but not insulators, and therefore, these effects are not produced in insulators. An integrated circuit helps the electrons flow through the conductor.