Question
Question: The direction of current by convention is the direction of flow of_______ A. positive charges B....
The direction of current by convention is the direction of flow of_______
A. positive charges
B. negative charges
C. electrons
D. Any charge particles
Solution
The continuous flow of electrons in an electric circuit is defined as electric current. An electric current is said to exist when there is a net flow of electric charge through a particular region. Electric current can be developed as a result either of movement of positive charge or a negative charge; although, the direction of electric current is related to a particular type of charge carrier.
Complete step by step answer:
Electric charge also called electrostatic charge, is a characteristic of a unit of matter that expresses the extent to which it has more or fewer electrons as compared to protons. In atoms, the electron carries a negative elementary or unit charge and the proton carries a positive charge. These two types of charges are equal and opposite.
Electric current is described as the movement of electric charge carriers, such as subatomic charged particles (for example: electrons having negative charge, and protons having positive charge), ions (atoms that have gained or lost one or more electrons), or holes (electron deficiencies that may be considered as positive particles).
Since, electric current can be the flow of either positive or negative charges, or both, a convention is needed to determine the direction of electric current that is independent of the type of charge carriers. The direction of conventional current is arbitrarily described as the direction in which positive charges flow. The direction of electric current is opposite to the direction of flow of electrons.
The direction of electric current by convention is the direction of flow of positive charges.
Hence, the correct option is A.
Note:
Electric current is the movement of electric charge carriers, or ions, or holes. Electric current can be the flow of either positive or negative charges, or both. The direction of electric current in any circuit is by convention the direction in which a positive charge would move.