Lesson 1 of 9

Electric current

Goal: Describe current as a flow of charge.

Puzzles for this lesson

An electric current is a flow of charge. In a wire, the charge is carried by tiny negative particles called electrons.

Current needs a complete circuit. A gap anywhere stops it.
The cell pushes the electrons round. They are already in the wires, so they all start to move almost at once.
Current is measured in amperes (A), or amps for short. An ammeter measures it. It is connected in series, as part of the loop.

Your turn

This lesson’s activity starts here in a moment.

I can say that current is a flow of electrons.I can state its unit and how an ammeter is connected.

This lesson on one page. Tap it to make it bigger.

Current A flow of electric charge

Electron A tiny particle with a negative charge

Ampere The unit of current

Ammeter Measures current

Cell Pushes charge around a circuit

For teachers: AQA 3.2.2 · Pearson Edexcel 30.1, 30.2 · Cambridge 7Pe.01, 7Pe.03