Question

-Assertion: electric current is a scalar quantity and
Reasoning: electric current does not obey law of vector addition
(A) both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation for assertion
(B) both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation for assertion
(C) assertion is correct but reason is incorrect
(D) both assertion and reason are incorrect

Answer 1

Electric current is defined a s the rate of flow of charge, and its direction is to be taken to be opposite of the flow of electrons. While solving complex circuit problems we have to sometimes divide the current at many junctions and at other times while using Kirchhoff laws we have to add the current.

Complete answer:
Electric current has a well-defined direction. If a junction current goes from left to right, and in the same junction if another current goes from right to left, then one is to be taken positive and the other is to be taken negative. The addition of current does not require any special law but they can be added by using algebraic laws. This is because of this reason; electric current is a scalar quantity.

So, the correct answer is “Option 1”.

Note:
Current exists only because of movement of charge, charge is the fundamental quantity. Quantization of charge means that charge can assume only certain discrete values. And not any general value. The observed value of the electric charge of a particle will be integral multiples of (e), charge is also a conserved quantity, that is it cannot be created and nor be destroyed but it can be transferred from one body to another.