What does current refer to in electrical terms?

In electrical terms, current refers specifically to the flow of electric charge through a conducting path. This flow is quantified in units called amperes (A), which measure the amount of charge that passes through a point in the circuit over a specified period of time. Current is a fundamental concept in understanding how electrical circuits function, as it is the movement of electrons that allows for the transfer of electrical energy, enabling devices to operate.

Voltage, while related to current, denotes the electric potential difference that drives this flow. Resistance measures how much a component opposes the flow of current, and potential difference is another term for voltage. Understanding current as the movement of charges is crucial for anyone studying electrical systems, as it forms the basis of Ohm's Law and the principles governing circuit design and analysis.