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This is because the conventional definition of a current flow is "the flow of POSITIVE charges" (from positive to negative terminal). However, positive charges in conductor do not move. It is only the electrons that are mobile. Hence the electrons will move towards the positive terminal, hence it is in the opposite direction of conventional current.
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Additional AnswerWhen Benjamin Franklin was theorising about the nature of an electric current (long before the discovery of atoms), he thought that it was some sort of 'fluid' that flowed from an area of high pressure, which he labelled as 'positive', to an area of low pressure, which he labelled as 'negative'.Although we know that, in metal conductor at least, an electric current is a flow of negative charges (electrons) that flow from negative to positive, many (but by no means all) textbooks still use Franklin's current direction which is called 'Franklinian Flow' or, more commonly, 'Conventional Flow'.
The reason for still using conventional flow seems rather odd, as there is no real advantage of continuing to do so.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoCurrent in metal conductors is a flow of electrons, from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the supply.
Before the discovery of atomic structure, scientists like Benjamin Franklin believed that an electric current was some sort of 'fluid' that travelled from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure. The 'higher pressure' was considered to be 'positive' and the 'lower pressure' was considered to be 'negative', so current was considered to flow from positive to negative. This error was compounded by Sir Michael Faraday, whose experiments in electrolysis seemed to confirm this current direction.
To differentiate between the two 'flows', the second is called 'Conventional' or 'Franklinian' flow. Unfortunately, conventional flow is still used in a great many textbooks.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoIt's because electric currents were assumed to flow from positive to negative before the discovery of the basic physical unit of electric charge, which is an electron, a negative charge.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoBy convention the current flows from positive to negative. However, electrons are negative and therefore must flow from negative to positive.
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What flow is equal to and opposite of electron flow?
The "flow of current" is considered to be in the opposite direction.
What current flows in one direction then the opposite direction?
AC, Alternating Current.
How left-hand rule is used for finding direction of force of current carrying wire when electron is moving from east to west?
what is the direction of motion of current carrying wire when electron is moving from east to west
The expression alternating current refers to which form of energy?
Alternating current is a flow of electrical energy in which the direction of electron flow reverses periodically. The mains electricity in your house is likely Alternating Current. The other form is Direct Current, where the direction of electron flow is in one direction only. Such as the flow from the batteries in your flashlight.
When an electric current flows through a long conductor how does each free electron moves?
The individual electrons will move back and forth, as they do when there is no current. You would have to do very careful statistics to notice that there are slightly more electrons moving in one direction than in the other: the drift velocity (average velocity due to current) of the electrons is typically a fraction of a millimeter per second.
What flow is equal to and opposite of electron flow?
The "flow of current" is considered to be in the opposite direction.
Why the current is flowing in opposite direction in cables?
the charge of the electron is negative
What is the relationship between the direction of current and direction of electron flow in a current carrying wire?
the directions are opposite to each other
What is the relationship between the direction of current and the direction of electron flow in a current carrying wire?
the directions are opposite to each other
What is the direction of the force on an electron that is moving alongside a wire that is carrying a current in the opposite direction?
90 degree
When electrons are moving from negative pole to positive pole in the circuit then current in the circuit will be moving in which direction?
always current flow from the opposite direction of electron
What is the relationship between the direction of current and direction of electron flow in a current-carrying wire?
because the current is actually the flow of electrons.
What is the conventional current flow?
Conventional current flow is the flow of positive charges, or the equivalent flow of positive charges. That is, if what flows is really negative charges (for example, an electron), which flow in one direction, the "conventional current" flows in the opposite direction.
What current flows in one direction then the opposite direction?
AC, Alternating Current.
Difference between electron flow and conventional current?
Conventional current flow refers to a flow of positive charges. It is a kind of ficticious current. If - as is often the case - the real current is an electron flow (negative charges), then the conventional flow is a current in the opposite direction as the electron movements, since this would have the same effect (for example on the magnetic field, or on conservation of charge).
In what circuit does the current flow in one direction and then in the opposite direction?
on a three way switch.alternating current.
Do Diodes have the ability to block electron flow in one direction and pass electrons in the opposite direction.?
yes
