What is it😃
An electric current is a flow of electric charge the cost of electricity depends on the amount of electrical power used the amount of time used for and the charge made for each unit of electricity the more electrical energy used the greater the cost. Electrical supplies can be direct current or alternating current
How does it flow💦
Conventional current flows from the positive terminal of the power source to the negative terminal
in wires negatively charged electrons carry charge. These are free to move from atom to atom in conductors such as metals they move in opposite direction to the conventional current.
Calculating electrical power ✨
Electrical charge is measures in Coulomb(C) the amount of electrical charge that moves in a circuit depends on the current flow and how long is flows for
charge = current x time
C = A x S
Energy transferred, voltage and charge
For a given amount of electrical charge that moves, the amount of energy transfered increases as the voltage increases
energy transferred = potential difference x charge
J = V x C
Direct Current
If the current flows in only one direction it is called direct current or DC. Batteries Supply DC electricity with a typical battery supplying about 1.5V. You will have to know both these equations in I/GCSE Physics.
Alternating current ⚡️
If the current constantly changes direction it is called alternating current or AC mains electricity is AC it is about 230v it has a frequency of 50 hz meaning it changes direction and back again 50 times a second. The potential difference of the live terminal varies between a large positive values and a large negative value however the neutral terminal is at a potential difference close to earth which is 0. Although the mean voltage of the mains supply is about 230v the peak voltage is higher.
References: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fec.kemet.com%2Fblog%2Fcircuit-basics-dc-vs-ac%2F&psig=AOvVaw3Ft75k53z-YMzp5wPcj3IB&ust=1625556977472000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCMjb6-O1y_ECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Drafted by Catrina (Physics)