A Brief Note on Electric Current

Electrons, protons, ions, or holes are all-electric current carriers examples. In a wire, when the charge carriers are electrons, the electric current measures the amount of charge traversing any given point in the wire at any given time. There is a difference between the alternating and direct current in the movement of the electric charges. Electric circuits are often referred to as having positive charge flow in the opposite direction of electron drift, even though electrons are heading opposite. I is the standard abbreviation for current. S.I. unit of electric current is ampere. The Formula of electric Current I = V/R

Type of Current

Direct Current (D.C.) and alternating current (A.C.) are the two types of electric current (A.C.). Electrons flow in a single direction while using a direct current. Batteries can generate only one type of current: direct. Electrons move in both directions in alternating currents. 

Direct Current

The direction of this sort of electric current is constant. D.C. (direct current) is the electric current produced by a cell or battery. Direct current has a ZERO frequency because it flows in the same direction. There is a Positive (+) and Negative (-) side to DC Current (-).

Alternative Current 

“Alternating current” refers to an electric current whose direction and value constantly change (A.C.). From ZERO to ZERO, the A.C. value climbs in one direction to ZERO, then in the opposite direction to ZERO, and finally back down again to zero. The graph of A.C. resembles a wave because of the growth in both directions. Sine waves are what we have here. Fifty of these cycles or waves occur in ONE SECOND in A.C. or Alternate Current. PHASE and NEUTRAL are the two sides of A.C.

S.I.Unit of Electric Current

Current is measured in amperes, equal to one coulomb of electric charge per second, and is the S.I. unit of Electric Current. coulomb/second (C/s) or amp is the unit of measure for coulombs and seconds since it is a coulomb per second. As a result, the equation for electric current is as follows:

I = V/R

Where,

I = Electric Current

The voltage is denoted by the letter V.

R stands for the material’s resistance.

Electric Current is measured in amperes, one of the S.I. basic units. It is employed in various scientific fields, including electronics and electrical engineering. Based on the electromagnetic effect it produces, the ampere is defined.

Heating effect of electric current

The heating effect of electric current is widely used during our day-to-day life. As an alternative to the traditional ways of cooking and laundry, electric irons, kettles, toasters, and heaters are utilised in their place. As an alternative to conventional lighting, electric bulbs utilise the same technology. They’ve changed the world for the better for quite some time. The heating impact of electric current and its applications will be discussed in this section. Electric Current can be used as a healing agent.

Electric Iron

In an iron, mica serves as an insulator sandwiched between the metal and the coil. Mica acts as a conductor, transferring the heat generated by the current to the metallic part of the coil. Once heated through, the metal component is used to press garments.

Electric Bulb

Tungsten metal wire is used to construct the electric bulb’s filament. Inert gas or a vacuum is used to keep the metal safe. The tungsten wire heats up and emits light as electricity travels through it. Heat and light energy are emitted from the circuit due to the electric power brought into it from the power source.

Electric Heater

High resistance conductive material wire is often used as a coil in electric heaters. Ceramic or china clay grooves are used to wind the coil. The coil, heated by the current flowing through it, is used to heat cooking utensils.

Electric Fuse

A quick spike in current can damage or destroy any electrical equipment, occasionally resulting in ablaze. The circuit is wired with a low melting point conductor to prevent this mishap. When the current increases, the wire melts due to overheating, causing the circuit to be broken.

The conductivity of a material determines how many currents it can carry.

 For examples,

• Electrons are responsible for the flow of current in a conductor.
• In semiconductors, electrons or holes are responsible for the passage of current.
• Ions and electrons in an electrolyte are responsible for the flow of current.
• Ions and electrons drive the current flow in plasma, an ionised gas.

Conclusion

Electric current is measured in amperes, equal to one coulomb per second flow through a surface. Direct Current (D.C.) and alternating current (A.C.) are the two types of electric current (A.C.). Electrons flow in a single direction while using a direct current. Batteries can generate only one type of current: direct. Electrons move in both directions in alternating currents.

One second of alternating current (A.C.) produces 50 cycles. Our daily lives rely heavily on the heating effects of electricity. High resistance nichrome wire is used as a coil in electric heaters. To heat vessels, a coil is heated by the flow of electricity.  S.I. unit of electric current in amperes. As a result, the equation for electric current is I = V/R. Where I = current,V = voltage and R= resistance