What does current measure in an electrical circuit?

Current in an electrical circuit measures the flow of electric charge. It is quantified in amperes (A) and indicates how much charge is passing through a point in the circuit per unit time. When understanding electrical circuits, it’s essential to think of current as the rate at which electrons move through the conductor. This flow of charge is responsible for delivering energy to various components in the circuit, allowing devices to operate.

In contrast, voltage measures the potential difference that drives this flow, resistance quantifies how much a material opposes the flow of current, and energy consumed relates to the work done by the circuit. Understanding current as the flow of charge is fundamental to grasping how electrical circuits function and interact with various components.