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Current flows from positive to negative.
Electrons flow from negative to positive.
This is historic, and arbitrary.
Another AnswerThe original answer is not wholly correct, and neither is it correct to say that the direction of an electric current is 'arbitrary'.Current direction is defined in terms of its direction through a load (never through the voltage source, such as a battery or generator).
An electric current is a flow of charged particles. In metal conductors, these are
negatively-charged electrons. Therefore, in metal conductors, current flows from negative to positive through a load. This is because the negative electrons in a conductor are repelled by an external negative charge and attracted towards an external positive (or 'less negative') charge.
In the 18th century, long before the nature of the atom was understood, scientists, such as Benjamin Franklin believed that an electric current was the flow of some mysterious 'fluid' that moved from a higher pressure to a lower pressure. Naturally, the considered the higher pressure to be 'positive' and the lower pressure to be 'negative'. Therefore, they believed current flowed from 'positive to negative'. Faraday agreed with this direction, based on his observations of his experiments in electrolysis (although he thought that current was a 'field' rather than a 'fluid'). Unfortunately, they were wrong.
To distinguish the latter from the former, a direction of positive to negative is termed 'conventional flow', whereas a direction of negative to positive is termed 'electron flow'. Modern textbooks use either 'conventional flow' or 'electron flow', depending on the author's preference.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoFor metallic conductors, current is a drift of free electrons from negative to positive (although we often describe it as 'conventional flow', from positive to negative!). In liquids and gases, though, this may not be the case, as current can be a flow of positive or negative ions.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIn an electrical circuit always current flows from -ve terminal of the source voltage to positive terminal in a closed circuit and such nature of flowing is called as convention current flow.
Conventional current flow, positive to negative. Electron flow negative to positive. See related link below.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago"the ground usually" but the source of electricity can as well
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoNegative to Positive
Although the conversion is the opposite
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoboth clock and anticlock wise
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What is current flowing in One Direction?
There is two types of current. Direct current and alternant current. The one running in only one direction is Direct current.
What direction does current flown an ac circuit?
We have suppose the current flow in opposite to the direction of flow of electron.AnswerA.C. current reverses direction every half-cycle.
In induction motor the will the direction of the rotor will be in the direction of the current?
The direction an induction motor will turn depends upon the direction of the rotating field setup by the winding. Remember in AC the direction of the current reverses itself 120 times every second for a 60 hz system. So no it will not turn in the "direction" of the current.
When charges continually shift from flowing in one direction to flowing in the reverse direction what current is there?
It is called an alternating current
What is a current consisting of charges that flow only in one direction called?
A Direct Current or DC direct current is a current consisting of charges that flow only in one direction.
What current flows in one direction then the opposite direction?
AC, Alternating Current.
When the flow of a current is aways in one direction?
When the flow of current is aways in one direction it is known as direct current.
The direction of a magnetic field produced by an electric current depends on the direction of the what?
Flow of the current.
The what of an electromagnet is determined by the direction of current flow?
The electromagnet (polarity) is determined by the direction of current.
What is current flowing in One Direction?
There is two types of current. Direct current and alternant current. The one running in only one direction is Direct current.
What direction does current flown an ac circuit?
We have suppose the current flow in opposite to the direction of flow of electron.AnswerA.C. current reverses direction every half-cycle.
Current that does not reverse direction?
direct current
In what circuit does the current flow in one direction and then in the opposite direction?
on a three way switch.alternating current.
Which law gives the direction of induced current?
LENZ LAW gives the direction of induced current.
Which is the Direction of the current in resistor?
A resistor is bi-directional meaning current can flow in either direction. Current flows from positive to negative.
What is meant by negative half-cycle of an alternating current?
Alternating current varies in magnitude, and reverses direction every half-cycle. When the current is drifting in one direction we allocate it a 'positive' direction; when it reverses direction we allocate it a 'negative' direction. So the positive half-cycle refers to its variation in current during its forward or positive direction and the negative half-cycle refers to its variation in current during its reverse or negative direction.
How can you reverse the direction of the magnetic field in a wire produced by an electric current?
You can reverse the direction of the magnetic field by reversing the direction of the electrical current.
